It has been awhile since I last penned a post for my blog. I have been consistently distracted and rather uninspired these past 6 months. Perhaps because of how busy I have been and how overwhelmed I feel. Perhaps because my focus has been elsewhere, on pending life changes and new adventures. Regardless, I recognize that I have been absent, and for this, I am truly sorry.
In my recent post, Chasing Days, I shared [with my audience] how overwhelmed and absolutely exhausted I feel – being pulled in every direction – and how I need to slow down and just breathe. It took penning that post and sharing it to the world, for me to realize that I was on a path of self-neglect. I was giving too much of myself without taking care of myself. I needed to make a change. But how? Where does one begin?
One begins by introducing (or reintroducing) coping strategies. I knew I had many to draw upon. So, I decided to revisit my previous posts that focus on coping strategies (A Coziness of the Soul, Time for a Reset, and Coping Through), and begin following my own advice. For the past 5 weeks I have actively scheduled time for myself, taking moments to read, journal, do pilates, and simply sit quietly and listen to music. I burned candles on gloomy days to lift my mood; and I used essential oils in my diffuser to elicit relaxation. I gave permission to myself, to focus on myself. I searched inward. I found moments of stillness. I found moments to just breathe. And, in those quiet moments, a life-changing opportunity arose. An opportunity that would have passed us by if I had not taken time to slow down, to refocus my energy, and to find calm in my everyday storms.
And so … we did a thing.
Quite recently, our little family of 3 welcomed a new family member into our loving little circle. A puppy. She is bright, curious, sweet, and busy – so busy – ironic when I have needed to slow down. But, it is a busy that fills our hearts with joy. It is a busy that has shifted our focus away from external demands and back to our family unit – to our personal moments. She has only been with us for 7 days, yet she fits our quirky family like the perfect piece to a jigsaw puzzle. Even our very particular cat does not seem to mind her presence. It is almost as though we were all waiting for her unexpected arrival. We all needed this new adventure.
In the weeks leading up to our puppy’s arrival, I spent some time reading and researching the ins and outs of owning a dog, when I happened upon a wonderful blog posted in Psychology Today (2018). The article, How Dogs Drive Emotional Well-being, discusses the profound psychological benefits of owning a dog, and it resonates. The simple joy her presence brings, to our often lonely child, is heartwarming. He has needed her companionship. They are bonding, finding love and solace in each other’s presence. She is even having a positive affect on my husband. He now takes moments to pause, during his incredibly demanding days, and care for her. And me? Have I lost my moments of stillness – to breathe, just breathe? No, I have not. I continue to take my moments – I continue to work toward finding balance – and our little puppy helps me to practise mindfulness. I am present and in the moment when I am with her. It is therapeutic, and I am grateful. Between her presence, and that of my cat’s, I am on a path of positive well-being.
And though we have forever altered our path, it has been a change for the good. We are all on a new journey – together – with one shared focus. We are a united family of 3 … plus cat … plus puppy … plus goldfish…
We Did a Thing…. Published by Crystal Joy Hall
While you were growing up you always had a dog (puppy) in your life. Dogs give us unconditional love. They sense our moods and respond in ways that help us heal.
Thank you! Yes, they give us so much love.