Arts Entertainments

Free yourself: let go of the “things”

WWhen we hold on to something in life, there is pain.

Life is about flow. Everything in our universe reminds us of that. Sunrise sunset. Tide in, low tide. Seasonal and climatic changes, including moving clouds. Relationships that begin and end.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our selfish minds that we forget that life is all about flow and relentlessly insist that things have to be a certain way. We become attached to our misperceptions.

I found myself caught up in values ​​that I insisted on enforcing. It was frustrating.

Nature, especially animals, brings us back to the truth. Letting go actually brings us our desires.

Sachi, my one-year-old Malti-poo puppy, recently gave me a tremendous lesson on this point. And, since it is National Dog Week, I wanted to share with you what I learned from him.

If you have been following this blog, you know how much I love animals. In my spare time (LOL) … I am a volunteer teacher for the Los Angeles Zoo, bringing small animals and reptiles to children’s hospitals, schools for autistic children, and nursing homes and rehab centers.

I’ve been trying to train Satchi to walk the lake with me every morning. I tried to incorporate a powerful walk with her walk, so we both exercise.

However, he insists on pulling in all directions. I have bought all types of leash and harness on the market. Several dog training books on my shelf. And he has had two coaches. I even saw practically every episode of the television program Cesar Millán (the whisper of dogs).

Satchi couldn’t care less. It was a rescue raised with Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, and German Shepherds. He has no idea that his 12 pound little body isn’t that big and he will jump on any dog ​​regardless of size when he finds it. However, at home he is a docile and obedient little dog, as a friend recently called him.

One day, after meditating on this frustrating dog issue, I got the message to let go of my attachment, how he should walk with me. As a mother of three, this is uncomfortable territory. Parents insist that children, even puppy dogs, obey.

I had to realize that the morning walk was not for me to exercise, it is for him. Let him read the dog newspaper (smelling each tree) that he likes.

Instantly, my egoic mind told me: “But César Millán says that’s not right.” “What will other people think when they see you leading me?” and, “I’ll have to stop and let him sniff every few minutes. I don’t want to slow down, let alone stop!”

I realized that I was attached to my values ​​and my perceptions. We get that way when we insist on what we know, it’s the only way. It’s not. Our judgment is simply clouded.

So despite my egoic mind harassing me, I tried to walk with him on a retractable leash and let him dart to my left and right. My heart pounded as I waited impatiently for him to smell everything … and I mean it. It’s that kind of dog.

I kept telling myself to let go, relax, let go.

My egoic mind told me: “But you are supposed to be the master. Make that dog be disciplined!”

Instead, however, I pushed myself out of my mind (not easy) and turned my attention to my bodily sensations while allowing Satchi to do whatever he wanted on the hike. I concentrated on squeezing my entire body. My awareness of knots and tightening inside my body allowed me to relax.

I was able to see my control problems arise. Not only with him, but it reminded me of other things in life that I tried to control. Old problems arose with my children, my husband, my writing, the way I speak, and so on.

The more he released it, the more Satchi calmed down. And, when I called it, Magic! The wine.

Now I take advantage of the time he pauses to sniff, to focus on my breathing, and to enjoy the trees and the lake. I realized that I was so busy trying to control it, that I lost my power.

Gradually, over the next several weeks, Satchi sniffed less and began to walk beside me.

A few times lately when he stopped to sniff, I was so into feeling the sensations of my body, the wind on my skin, absorbing the beauty around me, that I looked down and noticed that he was sitting next to me and looking at me. as if to say, “How long are you going to stand there? Come on.”

So my lessons came out loud and clear:

Take the advice, but do what works for you.

It doesn’t matter what other people think.

Let go of misperceptions.

Stop clinging to old values.

Flow with life.

And finally, Cesar Millán will forgive me, he also meditates.

love, light and blessings,

Janet

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