I felt myself not wanting to do much of anything today after lounging around all day yesterday.  So I had to give myself a little pep talk.  “Ok, Barb, time to get on with the day. You have my full permission to move into things at a leisurely pace. No hurry. Take your time.” Ah, now that felt like a good idea.

So I started with a leisurely walk with Kylie, my English yellow lab. She’s not much of an exerciser and I’ve often been frustrated by it. But lately I’ve seen a few of the neighbors taking their dogs for a walk through the athletic field which is behind our house. It is surrounded by many trees and a nice wooded area. The dogs always look so happy heading down the path. I like to try and watch for their return which is usually about a half hour later, because it brings me such joy to see happy, tired dogs with their tails wagging with pure delight.

Hmmm, I thought- maybe Kylie would like a leisurely walk instead of how I would walk- which means getting my heart rate going, doing it to stay in shape, etc. So instead of approaching it as exercising, we went to explore and take in the sights of the morning. Boy- did she have fun (and so did I)!  She was hot on the smells of the previous dog tracks and was having the time of her life. A few times she would stop and look up at me and as if to say, “Wow, Mom, this is really fun!  Can we do this more?  Can we? Can we?” I smiled and said, “Sure girl, I will try and do this more with you.”

I think we have to give ourselves permission to not only slow down when we want, but to move at a pace that is comfortable for us. So much guilt we tend to put on ourselves to get so much “stuff” done. I don’t want anymore guilt. Kylie reminded me of that today on our walk. I want to live an even simpler life than I did last year and the year before.

The last few years I have set  alot of goals for myself though I’m not really a fan of goals. But the past few years I have written down 5-6 things I want to accomplish each year in terms of my Joyful Paws business. I’m proud to say I’ve accomplished every one of them. But as I moved through my day today the afternoon found me out in my writing studio sorting and organizing things that needed attention. I also grabbed my dry erase board where I write down my goals each year and wrote down three things I’d like to accomplish for 2012 for Joyful Paws. That’s it. No more. It feels right. They are three big goals, so I think it will be enough to keep me busy. But it will also give me time to enjoy more walks with Kylie… as well as with Frankie once the weather is warm again so she can come along in her doggie stroller.

So it’s my hope that you give yourself permission to live each of your days just as you would choose. No guilt. Just pure pleasure.

A Life Wish

May the days and years ahead of you be filled with

OPENINGS

that you may sense clearly the path you choose to walk;

VISION

that you may see, search, and dream without limitation;

SENSITIVITY

that you may hear and follow your own innter guidance, discern when to act on behalf of yourself and/or others and when to simply be and let be;

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

that you may taste the fruits of success; and,

POSSIBILITIES

that you may discover what you want and need, know who you are, give to others of your heart’s joy, have the courage to stand for your own convictions, and believe in yourself no matter what

~Raphaella Vaisseau