Dog says:  be here now

Be here now. Live in the ever-present Now. Pay full attention to what's happening Now.

Savour every bit of Now. Give Now your full and undivided attention. All of it. Suck the marrow out of every experience.

Dogs are adept at experiencing and expressing great joy. Dogs: the art of joy!

Cats are adept at experiencing and expressing great contentment. Cats: the art of contentment!

Both: the art of adventure, curiosity, interest, investment; complete saturation in, complete commitment to, the adventure!

… which is to say: complete commitment to the experience of life!

I don't remember the exact circumstances that led to this note, but I probably asked about Dog and what he was bringing to the party. As both Dog and Cat are figments of my imagination, it's not lost on me that the twin themes of their presence are joy and contentment — two qualities or states of being that are so often in short supply within me. In fact, I habitually pinched off joy; it was always so fleeting that the elation never felt worth the deflation which quickly followed (not realising that I was the one deflating me). Same goes for contentment: it never lasted long.

As for adventure, that was another important lesson for me. I am not, by nature, an adventurous person. In fact, “adventure” fills me with a pale dread as I anticipate some fresh discomfort or disappointment. But Cat and Dog showed me that life is, by its very nature, an exciting adventure; and the more I invest myself in it, engaging my curiosity and interest, the richer the experience.

I found their complete trust in life absolutely compelling. It was both inspiring and reassuring. Now, for perhaps the first time in my life,  I'm looking forward to more adventures, with Cat and Dog as my travelling companions and tour guides.

savour

every bit of

now

trust life completely