What's So Great About 'The Moment'?

“They know how to prioritize,” he said casually, as though it were a comfortable thought worn each day. He continued to share with me matter-of-factly, “They live better than we do, they know that food, sleeping, shitting and love are the only things that matter. They actually know how to be in the moment.”

Dogs truly are in the moment, every moment. Apparently, dogs can take me there too.

My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of dog-sitting a wonderful little guy for one week. It was a week in which I noticed something shift and soften within both of us, and how we expressed ourselves, even toward one another. This little four-legged friend had in a way, transformed our household.

I am no morning person. Don’t get me wrong, I can wake up in the morning and when I do I am really nice, I’d say I’m happy even. I happen move to the tick-toc of a differently timed clock. I find getting going and getting out of the house each day somewhat difficult. Surely, I have little ease filled stretches of living like I imagine a morning person lives, but usually it’s a struggle. It has been my entire life. I don’t foresee a long lasting change with that. But, with this little friend we had staying over, I was promptly out of bed at 7:00 and by 7:05, this little guy and I were outside with the morning light, the elements, cruising the streets together. We’d return from our morning trek for some fetch, tug of war, breakfast and coffee. Well, I would enjoy coffee, then I’d ready myself for the day and whisk myself off on my commute, to my job, and finally, my return trip home. Once home I’d find myself outside with the elements, cruising the streets with my four legged friend once more watching the daylight fade away.

Everything seemed so much more enjoyable with this little dog around.

I have a hard time managing my energy with people, I have found. I get excited when people, or living things apparently, are in my space. I want to play and interact with them, really be a part of an experience together. This dog was no different. We doted on him as though he were our newborn child. Well, nearly. But, unlike most socializing, spending time with this dog I didn’t have these pesky to do lists coming up repeatedly in my head of how I should be spending my time.

The chores
The projects
The bills needing to be paid
The job search
The business start

Those things would pop up, but in a far lighter way. The punishing tone I’d often hear was absent. Instead, the voice of a sweet, slightly plump (I’d imagine) Great Aunt donning an apron, hanging laundry on a sunlit mid-May afternoon would remind me of my previously made commitments and chores.

Her voice, soft and sweet, was a pleasant reminder that I had things to do, but who I was being in this moment in time was perfectly fine and likely very good for me.

Do dogs help us feel more in touch with the here and now?

I know there is a lot of “live in the moment” talk these days, walking hand in hand with all of the inspirational /condemning memes your friends (and my friends) are always posting on social media. There is something to be said, though for living in the moment. I think it’s definitely important to get to that state, and some people can live in the moment – not all of us – and those who can – certainly don’t make it there every moment of their lives. It makes me wonder why it’s such a common directive, a common topic for discussion when it is something one should be able to do, like breathing or eating? I mean, our dogs are doing it – every day. Why can’t we.

Let’s live like dogs. I think it’s time.

Needs

I need a plan.

I have had this loose plan for a little over three years, it sounds great.

It sort of starts with “let’s get out of here!”

Unfortunately, the plan also ends there.

There is no destination or clear starting point that follows the declaration that I’ve got to get out of here, and I do.

I get distracted from my plan easily, by a change in weather, a change in conversation, a happy feeling. Anything.

I’m human and according to some, two and a half mythical creatures as well. I get distracted. I de-rail my own train, often.

I have been seeking out all of this information, outside of myself, looking for answers. Any answer that will provide me with a path of action that is both clear and safe. The only place I am really going to get that information from is within my mind and my heart.

I turn to astrology often and I turn to divination – which in turn, leads me back to myself. I am the one who ultimately has the answers. While the astrological approach may seem ridiculous to some, I feel having an awareness of current planetary influence could never be to my detriment.

So, what is the plan? What the hell are we after?

Truth is, I am not completely sure. I just know that vocationally, I have gotten very far from where I wanted to be and I am not quite sure how to get back to where I would like to be. A way of working that feels free both physically and emotionally. To conjure a way of working where ease, and beauty are co-creators in all things.

This, naturally poses the question, do I even still want to do what I felt excited by nearly fourteen years ago? I decided to be a Graphic Designer fourteen years ago. I finished my studies ten years ago and here I am.

Disgruntled.

Disillusioned

Dissatisfied

Discovering what I want.

It’s not all negative – it’s not all bad.

Discovery is almost always a lovely thing.  

For now, my plan is to commit to creating, planning and discovering what I truly need. Committing – staying focused – feeling at ease – staying open.

I think that will take me where I need to go.

Hand in hand, we’ll stroll forward.