Who says even though is it hotter than blazes and a dew point well over 70 that a dachshund can’t snuggle in their blanket?
I couldn’t help but giggle as I saw Miss Gidget all curled up in her lime green blanket this morning as I try to stay cool in this heat wave.
Dachshund and blankets – they just seem to go together.
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If you weren’t able to catch my interview on CBS 58 this morning, here it is as a replay.
My best friend, Victoria, called me this morning after she saw the interview. And what was lost on me for a moment, came into full view when she mentioned the fact that she was reminded of our friendship and the loss of my chocolate Lab, Cassie Jo, ten years ago when she caught the photo of her in the interview.
I wrote about Cassie Jo in a post yesterday. She was the one who inspired me to find the courage to look into my heart to discover I wanted to try my hand at writing….follow my heart…and see where it would take me.
The fact that this piece about my writing cottage, my writing, my books, my animal advocacy, and encouraging others to follow their hearts aired today, a decade later of some pretty pivotal moments in my life…. well, it would be hard to convince me that spirit is not working magic in my life.
It took me many years and lots of hard work on myself to come to a place of acceptance of who I am. I am proud of this story that Reporter Marshanna Hester & Photojournalist, Brian Urbanek, captured so beautifully….and I’m so grateful.
It truly is my hope that this will inspire other women to know it is more than okay to stop each day and find quiet and creativity for themselves.
Maybe a space of one’s own isn’t quite in the cards yet, but a dream for the future — but to find a way in which to honor yourself and your needs right now, in the way you can best fit it in at this time — this is my hope.
I truly believe that when we do, we are better for it — and that is what you take out into the world — and everyone around us benefits.
We all need to find a way to shine our inner light and I encourage you to shine yours starting today.
Almost every morning after my yoga practice, I meditate for a few moments.
Sometimes Gidget sits beside me, resting her head on my leg. But from what I’ve read and understand, it’s just as beneficial for her if she is sleeping in her bed on the floor next to me.
I used to get frustrated (and sometimes still do) when meditating, thinking “My mind won’t stop talking!”
This is another lesson I’ve come to understand is that it is not about shutting your mind off completely. It’s learning to go of the thoughts without judgement and just letting them float on by.
So here I was meditating Tuesday morning. I choose a word to bring myself back to center when my thoughts wonder. I chose stillness as my word for this particular day.
I set the timer on my phone for 15-minutes. In the background I had music softly playing- Reiki Ocean part 6 on Pandora is my favorite.
I got comfy in my big wicker chair and closed my eyes. Gidget takes a few moments to settle in, but I let her do her thing and try to not let it distract me. I love how it feels to have her beside me which grounds me.
Here’s an example of my meditation thought process from Tuesday.
Stillness.
I have to work on my newsletter today.
What am I going to write about?
Stillness.
Mmmm, that feels good.
I want to write about mindfulness too.
Stillness.
I forgot to take the chicken out for dinner.
Stillness.
Was that a car door I just heard slam?
Don’t look. Keep your eyes closed.
Stillness.
I can’t forget to make copies for Saturday’s workshop.
Stillness.
And on and on it goes. This is normal. It’s those in-between times, what Dr. Wayne Dyer calls the gap, that is meditation. Those sweet spots of calm. It is so worth it to move through my thoughts, finding my way back to the word and the center that grounds me.
And having Gidget in the room, or beside me, is so worth it too.
Even if your pet isn’t in the room with you, I’ve heard this is still beneficial for them. They can feel that good, relaxing, renewing energy no matter where they are. Just picture them in your mind and set your intention, and they will benefit.
I read somewhere that even if you are the only person who meditates in the household that it actually benefits everyone. I think that makes perfect sense. And it’s another reason meditation makes me feel good to know that I may be holding the center for someone else. Even my sweet dogs.
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