Day 847

All of our Goldens are inquisitive…but Sammy takes the prize! Not only does he go after the answer to his questioning brain, but he goes forth with no fear or trepidation! He is unstoppable!

My philosophy has always been to engage my mind in an inquisitive manner. Always taking in what I observe or hear and then digging deeper to uncover the real answers. Not being one to take things as they initially enter my sphere, I believe there is always room to add additional facts and opinions along life’s journey.

The problem with this thinking is that it can become hard to make a decision or take a stand. At times being labeled “wishy-washy," I have made attempts to be more decisive. Moving along that continuum is hard work for this girl! Being a “people pleaser” encourages me to try to acknowledge other people’s beliefs and allow them to sway decisions. The older I get, the less I care about agreeing with someone simply to avoid conflict.

Now, I tend to listen, question, research, process and then make a decision about any topic of discussion. Unlike Sam, I do not jump to conclusions or leap onto any “bandwagon” without major questioning or pondering.

Please encourage yourself to explore this vast world of nature and learning by keeping an open mind while honoring your ability to trust your own intelligence. Add on to what you know, but don’t be swayed by others’ words. We all have the capacity to learn and grow while respecting our innate ability to embrace our own foundation of hard-earned knowledge and beliefs.