I was walking my dog Ben and noticed something. He’s a 6 year old, 100 lb gentle giant of a dog, a lab/retriever rescue that I’m so thankful to have had in my life for a little over a year. Ben loves walks and I don’t use the word love lightly. He’s at the end of his leash looking to explore. His nose is in the air or on the ground after a fresh scent and he’s not afraid to use his fullback shoulders to get to where he wants to go. To engage himself further, he will sometimes grab his leash and play a game of tug-a-war/ drag the owner that is unlike anything my arms have experienced before. Needless to say, I love Ben. The hot Arizona summer is tough on him though (recently moving from Illinois), with his full reddish/blonde coat, and as we walk, I can see the heat taking a toll not long into his walks. His head starts to droop, pace slows down, and he’s just a little less interested in the surroundings. He’ll look at me with those sagging eyes and panting breath and I’ll give him some water as we take a break. It’s during these times I pet his head and say out loud, “Ben, I’m so proud of you, you are walking so strong in this heat. You are such a good boy”. Like clockwork, his chest puffs out, his eyes become more alert and all of a sudden he’s at the end of his leash walking stronger than ever. I love believing in Ben and I really believe he loves hearing it.
It makes sense to me. I know how much I’ve appreciated those words of encouragement in my life, especially the words of somebody saying they believe in me and have gratitude and appreciation for who I am. I’ll be honest, I sometimes forget to believe in and have gratitude and appreciation for myself. It’s then when I notice old mind tapes of fear and inferiority take over my thoughts.
As we take this journey to our healthiest selves, a place where we really like ourselves, it’s important to surround ourselves with those that can remind us just how wonderful we are. Don’t get me wrong when I say this, I don’t mean surround ourselves with people who enable us, but those that truly care and genuinely want the best for us.
As you take your steps on this journey, please be sure to have your team of support in place. A spouse, a parent, a teacher, a colleague, an author, a mentor, a child, a friend, a neighbor, whoever it might be that you can go to remind you just how wonderful you are. Especially when you may forget and your head starts to droop, your pace and vitality for life slows down and you become disinterested in your surroundings. Take those reminders, remember who you are and grab your leash; just like Ben.
