Be Your Own Dog

We can all take a lesson from Blue today and everyday. I know, he is a dog, but he is "his own dog". He is the sweetest, funniest dog ever, but he is absolutely who he wants to be. He enjoys every minute of everyday. If I could get into his mind, I am sure his only stress comes from deciding which area of the ranch he is going to explore next. So, here are the things we can learn from Blue about "being your own dog".....

1. Life is meant to be lived. Who cares if the weather is bad, you are having a bad hair day or you are in a less that perfect mood. Figure it out! Change the direction of your day. Find your fun and don't waste a minute of the precious day you have been given. I know there are days that Blue is less than excited about playing with the other dogs, but he does it anyway and soon enough he is the one having the most fun!

2. Take time for yourself. Everyone needs a little down time. You only have so much to give before you need to be refueled. If you need to say no, say it. If you need a nap, take it. You aren't going to be as productive is you don't take care of yourself. Blue takes several naps everyday! It is funny to watch him pretend he can't move or "play dead" so that Callie will leave him alone to take his nap. He has it all figured out.

3. Pick your battles. Simply figure out what matters and what doesn't. At the end of the day what is important. We sometimes get ourselves worked up for things that really don't matter. Try to let some of those situations slide. Blue does. Instead of fighting with the other dogs over the most recent bone brought to the yard, he wonders off digs up an old one and everyone is happy. Sometimes you just have to give up the bone of contention.

4. Be Happy. Life is too short to be in a bad mood. Really, what does that accomplish. Wake up each day and thank God for the blessings you have. Worry less, pray more. Be thankful. Take a look at what you have and derive your happiness from that. Blue does that everyday! He is the happiest dog on earth. I wish he could talk. I know he would say how happy is to have a ranch to run around on, friends to play with, a 4-wheeler to ride on, mice to dig up in the fields. Nothing too exciting, very simple things, but things that make him happy.

5. Be Your Own Dog. Finally, it is important to be who you are. Not who your best friend is, who your spouse wants you to be, who you think you need to be to fit in. Be yourself, stand solid on your beliefs and morals and let your light shine. Blue does, and he brings so much joy into our day, everyday! Be your own dog!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.

~Judy Garland