The Simplicity of Appreciation by Cindy Huff & Terri Noftsger
Animals teach us so many things simply by being who they are. We’ve written about this in various contexts over the years. Today we would like to share some thoughts about what animals can teach us about appreciation, balance and happy living. We have often talked about how animals are fully present in whatever they are doing or being. One minute they can be thoroughly enjoying a nap in a sunny spot in the great room. The next minute, at the sound of the door opening, they are flinging themselves at you in utter joyous celebration that you are home. How do they do this? I personally think it has everything to do with animals thoroughly experiencing each moment. They can fully experience the nap in the sun, luxuriating in the warmth and the life giving light, the soft dog bed or rug beneath them, the companionship of other dogs near them, the breeze coming through the open window. That is all
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that matters to them in that moment – those simple pleasures. They are content with the abundance of the moment because they keep it that simple. Of course, animals do have moments where they are focused on what they want or do not want. For example, if our older dog Lukas thinks it is time to eat, he will simply go and sit in the kitchen and wait for us to get with the program. The closer it gets to his normal feeding time, the more he sincerely reminds us with little whines and soulful eyes. He is still in the moment, but he also wants something to happen IN that moment as well. When we get out a suitcase, our dogs will begin to look worried, because they are so focused on what suitcase MEANS (mom or moms are leaving them), that is what they fully experience in that moment – the memory of us leaving before. The point we are making here is this: animals have,
Oct / Nov 2017