Tags
Animal, Blind, Dog, Great teacher, Guide Dog, Happiness, Individuality, Labradoodle, Pets, Positivity, Unique
Happiness is not an illusion to be chased but a belief to be embraced. If we listen to the media today, we can be led to believe that happiness is being sucked out of humans into a vortex of misery that has magically appeared. When an expansive gap between your expectations in life and the realities in your actual life appears, then this is where that vortex of misery that is so commonly talked about can engulf you. Would the simple answer to this therefore be, to expect less and appreciate simplicity more?
Living with Munch over the last 14 months has taught me things about the simplicity of happiness and how easy authentic happiness can be. Dogs and other animals never really question their success, relationship statuses or life goals, they just deal with the here and now. I am not suggesting we all sniff and pee against lampposts but implementing their outlook on life is not such a bizarre idea if we really stop to think about it.
Bouncing around like a lamb in the snow was Munch’s idea of ultimate happiness. No risk assessment, carefully planned itinerary or scheduled time was needed, he just followed his happiness and lolloped straight into it. It resembled the same happiness he gets from playing with any moveable or immovable object, sniffing until his nostrils become numb, sticking his tongue in a stranger’s ear to give his doggy kisses or diving between legs for a doggy hug. The simplicity in his happiness could teach us a lesson or two.
Happiness is not an outside emotion that only a chosen few can have whilst others are forced to suffer. Owning our own emotions regardless of our outside circumstances, is where we really learn to embrace life. When Munch was bounding around in the snow, he felt the natural joy and happiness from within before anyone could witness his outside happy appearance. Finding your own snow to be happy in is just as simple.
When I ask clients when they were last happy, a surprisingly high number really have to stop and think. When we are too busy searching outside ourselves for things to make us happy, we are forgetting about the things that already make us happy. Reconnecting to an old book that you used to love or visiting a favourite old haunt will never cease to bring your innate happiness bubbling back to the surface. Why keep striving when you arrived in the happiness zone years ago.
The Beauty in being Blind is that I have no external point of reference to measure happiness against. I really don’t care what someone looks like, but what I do care about is what makes them happy. When my friend who took Munch’s picture described to me how Munch was loving playing in the snow, my happiness shot off the scale. Finding your own authentic happiness can be as simple as finding your own snow to play in. Just ask Munch.
scifihammy said:
I totally agree. We could all take a tip from our pets on how to just Be – and be happy. 🙂
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thesecretblind said:
So true. They are amazing teachers. 🙂
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Garfield Hug said:
A happy camper indeed😃
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ejb117 said:
Great post! This reminds me of a radio interview I heard a while ago about a Japanese concept called ‘Ikigai’ , if I remember rightly. It was basically about learning to really relish the small things in our everyday life which bring us happiness. Like a big cup of hot strong tea in the morning, for example. 🙂
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thesecretblind said:
Sounds like a great interview with a great concept. I totally agree. We can all complicate our lives so much with overthinking yet it is the cups of tea is the world that are our real soul food 🙂
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Chloe Kennison said:
I really love your posts so far, they enchant me. I haven’t had a dog in a while but the absence of one has definitely had an impact on me, almost as intensely as having a dog did. Their unconditional kindness has a way of rubbing off on us, you know? 🙂
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thesecretblind said:
So true. I only had a dog growing up but didn’t have one for 26 years. When Munch came into my life, things really changed. That unconditional love is the best thing ever. Thanks for reading and your lovely comment 🙂
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Rosy Mathew said:
Happiness is really a underrated aspect in this society. We often rely on materialistic things, other people to make us happy or fulfilled. However, we can’t be happy with ourselves. We are constantly wanting for others to appreciate us but we can’t find a reason to appreciate ourselves.
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thesecretblind said:
This is so true. We get in our own way of happiness sometimes and try to complicate things when really there is only simplicity. Thanks for reading and commenting .
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Love&Keta said:
Iam in love with your work please follow me tol .l would appreciate. Iam an African blogger who recently went public with my work💚❤
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thesecretblind said:
Great to meet you. Looking forward to following your blog ❤
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Love&Keta said:
Love love love..drop comments and advice would love that too.
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