Day 713

Feeling safe and comfortable is a gift! Miss Lilly, surrounded by her bevy of bones and resting on a comfy dog bed, must be feeling quite secure. My goal is to have all the Goldens have that sense of peace in our home.

For humans, it seems to be a bit more complex than being comfortable, warm and surrounded by desired toys. Our minds need to be at peace as well. There in lies the challenge.

To find peace, in our environment, might begin by sitting in a favorite chair with a cup of coffee and a cozy blanket. However, once situated, our minds tend to go into a less than calm direction...mine does. It is a true challenge for me to bodily sit, safe and comfortable, and allow my mind to find the same peace.

How to achieve that mental comfort is a work in progress for me. I deep breathe, look out upon nature, listen to soothing music and even visualize my favorite places. Still, my mind breaks free and runs in a direction that does not lead to calm.

Perhaps meditation or yoga would help? That may be in my future, but my real peace comes when I am surrounded by four big dogs who offer that feeling of safety and comfort. They surround me, in their slumber, and are unaware of their power to calm my spirit.

If they can rest unencumbered, perhaps I only need to be more Golden in nature. Dogs seem to grasp the essence of peace... don't worry about life...simply embrace the present and pull your energy from the simple comforts that make you feel secure. Perhaps the most important element is loved ones surrounding you!