A Willing Shift in Perspective

At the suggestion of a very good dog behaviorist, I am now walking my dogs at dusk, as well as in the morning. They LOVE it, and I am startled at how much I like it. I’ve always known I was too tired, too busy, or too something to ever walk in the evening. I mean, come on! I already walk 2 miles a day in the morning, almost every day. However, the dogs were restless (turns out they have high prey drive and need to burn off more energy), so I had to at least consider it.

I’ve always enjoyed my morning walks. I get to see some spectacular sunrises, as well as be around as my neighborhood wakes up. There is little traffic, and the weather is usually cool. I love spending time with the dogs, doing my power walk with the young dogs and then my cool-down walk with the old girl. I love the hummingbirds flying in front of us catching gnats, and I love the young hawks trying to learn how to hunt and feed themselves, then yelling about how frustrated they are when they miss.

And… I love my early-to-bed time! For years I have headed to bed at 8:00 PM, read for a while, then drifted off to sleep. This walking in the evening thing was going to disrupt all of that. It is often too warm to walk in the early evening, or I have not yet had dinner. So, what to do?

The first thing I had to do was be WILLING to walk in the evening. And for quite a while I was pissy and unwilling. And then I realized I did not have to figure out all the logistics of it. I just needed to be willing to have a different view of the whole thing. And suddenly I could see it might not only be possible, but enjoyable.

As I headed out for my first evening walk with the young dogs, I found, once I was well into the walk, that I needed to wear reflective gear and probably a headlamp for safety. Ah, already learning something! Then I realized there’s a whole new set of creatures out at that time. There is a family of what looks like Great Horned Owls that are almost cheeky around people, and I got to experience a bat fly-by. Also, the families that are out in the evening remind me of my childhood neighborhood, where everyone said hello, kids were trying tricks on their new bikes, and families were having picnics in the park. And the summer sunsets are spectacular!

I would be missing all of that if I had not been at least willing to try it. And the dogs are quite a bit more settled, even though I only walk them 15 minutes at night. Who knew? (The behaviorist knew.)

Perspective Changes Everything

Being willing works in relationships as well. That thing that annoys the heck out of me? Have I ever asked why they do or don’t do that thing? Nope, I’ve just explained why it would be better to do it my way. When I became willing to be something other than annoyed, my natural curiosity came out and I learned more new things.

The next time you catch yourself in other than a loving mood (i.e. Annoyed, critical of someone or yourself, frustrated, blue, overwhelmed, bored, etc.) ask yourself if you are willing to not be annoyed, critical, etc. The mere consideration of willingness calms everything down. Try it and let me know what happens!

If something here sparked your curiosity or you’d like to explore your own shift in perspective, feel free to reach out to me.