One Saturday morning, everyone got up on the wrong side of the bed, with one notable exception.
Little Boy was making racket, shattering my peaceful dreams. Little Girl was still asleep, but sure to wake like a grumpy bear at any moment from the noise.
I threw back the feather comforter and marched out to shush Little Boy. My reprimand was met with an onslaught of backtalk and sass. Mr. Right stomped out to add his two cents, and I could hear Little Girl rumpling her sheets.
During this exchange, the dog galloped around my feet, unaware that racket and Saturday mornings don’t mix. His owners were awake! It was the best thing that happened all day!
At the sight, Mr. Right had an absurd epiphany: the dog should be our family role model.
“Oh, very helpful, I said.
But he was serious. For the next 20 minutes, he studied the dog and his movements around our home.
It went something like this:
- Enter kitchen, sniff air. Greet Mr. Right nd I and wait for head scratch. Wag tail.
- Walk to Little Boy’s rom, wag tail as he acknowledges presence. Wander to Little Girl’s room, repeat process.
- Family accounted for, walk to living room. Sigh contentedly.
- Curl up for a nap on the couch and experience the best day ever as Mr. Right naps at the other end. Wag tail.
Days have passed with our newly appointed role model and I’m starting to come out of the doghouse. I realized that when Little Boy is wrecking a perfect Saturday morning, I get angry. I don’t look at him with love and affection, and in that moment, I don’t even care about his happiness – I just want the racket stopped, right now. RIGHT NOW, DO YOU HEAR ME?!
Not the dog. He’s just elated by our presence, our voices. He loves us that much.
That’s the kind of attitude that makes a happy home.
Here’s how to follow in his pawsteps:
Look at loved ones with incredible love and joy at all times. It helps to remember the happiest, fondest memory you have together, even if they are sassing you. Or complaining about not getting a cell phone even though ALL her friends have one. Instead, recall how Little Girl’s teacher was in tears reviewing her sucesses of the quarter. Its easy to play a part in Little Boy’s backtalk, but how about the time he said, “You’ve taught me so much. What would I do without you?”
When a loved one says your name, “wag your tail.” Even if its, “Mom, Little Boy is bugging me,” or, “Wife, I forgot the checkbook in my work truck.” They thought of you. They said your name. You mean something and they need you.
Wag.
When someone is upset, don’t speak. Simply look into their eyes, letting the love you feel become evident. Mr. Right has been doing this for days, and the expression is so ridiculous, I can’t help but start laughing.
Try it.
Recite a dog’s compassion ritual. During a hard week, it helps to start my mornings with this compassion ritual. After reciting it one morning, Mr. Right asked if I wanted to hear his. I played along and here it is:
Look into the eyes of those you love.
Wag your tail.
Wag your tail.
Wag your tail.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it! So true – we are so busy with everyday life that sometimes we forget to stop and appreciate what we’ve got. Taking some time to appreciate the people around you, and to have a laugh with a loved one can do more to refresh the soul than anything else.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE CINNAMON ROLLS?
@ Tracy – If you want to laugh a lot, spend time with a 3 year old. Today, we went to the High Pop (IHOP).
I might have leftover pancakes?
I can totally relate. I get home from work, happy to see my husband and 1 yr old daughter. My husband totally unloads on me, upset about anything that went wrong throughout the day. Then I get cranky because he’s cranky. The only one who is not cranky is my daughter. She is still smiling at both of us. I should use her as our family role model….and only be cranky if I’m hungry or poopy!
@ Lynn – Does your hubby need to spend a week with our role model?
What would your baby’s compassion ritual sound like?
This was kind’ve corny, but I can totally see you waking up like that. I hate waking up crabby, so if your dad is bugging me because of the way he’s flipping through the channels, I just get up and get busy with whatever. I sure beats being annoyed.
@ Deeg – Or you could try Mr. Right’s compassion ritual!
I love this post! It’s so simple yet profoundly true. Most people like us have come to treat our loved ones for granted, especially when they’re around us all the time. I guess it boils down to the fact that unconditional love is a conscious decision and ongoing effort, and it takes just that little effort to stop and smell the roses that our loved ones left for us. =) cheers!
@ Cynthia – Thanks for the comment. Its so easy to take those we love for granted. Cheers to life and loving!