What If My Dog Were My Life Coach? Exploring Life Lessons
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Chapter 1: The Bond with My Dog
I have a deep affection for my dog. She is a delightful mix of Shih Tzu and Bichon, known for her loyalty and a strong personality, albeit with a heavy dose of laziness. Her diet consists more of treats than actual dog food, and she’s not particularly fond of going for walks. In fact, she seems to prefer my company over anyone else's.
I can't help but think how she could serve as a life coach. Allow me to elaborate on this concept.
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Section 1.1: The Essence of Now
To appreciate why my dog, Molly, could rival a life coach like Tony Robbins, one must grasp a fundamental idea that has occupied my thoughts lately: the nature of time and existence.
I've been contemplating the idea that the future is merely an illusion. Tomorrow hasn't arrived yet; it's nothing more than a thought or a projection. While we can speculate about what may occur, the reality is that the future is uncertain and, in essence, does not exist.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Illusion of the Past
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
Now, let's shift our focus to the past. While it once held reality, it has since faded away. We can recall experiences, but those memories no longer manifest in the present. Regardless of how vivid our recollections may be, they remain intangible. We cannot feel, smell, or hear the past; it simply no longer exists.
Both the past and the future do not influence what we are doing right now. Sure, past experiences may need resolution, but by embracing the present, we often find it easier to cope and move forward.
Are you following along? Wonderful. Here comes the interesting part.
Section 1.2: A Life Guided by My Dog
If my dog were in charge of my life, I can assure you it would be filled with joy and tranquility. Stress would be minimized, as Molly lives solely in the present. She doesn’t worry about what lies ahead; the future is a concept that escapes her understanding.
While she may recall moments from the past, those memories don't dictate her current state. Instead, they surface occasionally, triggered by familiar sights or scents. Like many dogs, she may have faced challenges before, but those do not define her existence. She thrives in the moment.
If Molly could articulate her thoughts, she'd likely dismiss my worries as irrelevant. She would encourage me to view life's challenges as non-existent, guiding me to plan for the future with a clear and objective mindset, much like compiling a simple shopping list.
Her approach would be straightforward, preventing future anxieties from invading my thoughts and relegating the past to a mere teacher of lessons learned. She would inspire me to focus on the present, helping me to align my life with what truly matters.
But alas, the notion of Molly being my life coach is utterly absurd. She's just a dog.
Chapter 2: Insights from Life Coaches
In the first video, "Maureen Scanlon Life Coach: My Dog is More Enlightened Than I am," the speaker reflects on the profound wisdom that pets can impart on our lives. It highlights how our furry friends often embody the principles of living in the moment.
The second video, "Everybody Died So I Got A Dog: When loss becomes your life coach | Emily Dean," explores the transformative power of pets in coping with grief and loss, showing how they can guide us through challenging times.