Dogs Know the Way to Happiness
They are little masters of ikigai... and among the world's greatest philosophers.
“[Dogs] bring so much joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.” — Bruce Cameron
I bet you consider yourself smarter than a dog.
I beg to differ when it comes to happiness. A dog is much like a child in this respect. They both live in the moment, enjoy the smallest of pleasures and skip from one moment of flow to the next. Can you say the same?
There is much to learn from a dog. You need not bear the responsibility of caring for one. Simply observe and learn from a true master of ikigai.
Greet your loved ones as if they were lost and suddenly found.
Barking, whining and jumping for joy... sometimes even bouncing off the walls with glee. You can feel the love radiating from them as they struggle to give you little kisses. The greeting of a dog is a special treat I never tire of.
Chase after what interests you.
The mail truck, the neighbor’s flag, a chirping bird, an over-inquisitive squirrel or just someone walking by are all irresistible targets. Off they go at full speed, eyes wide and jowls flapping. There are no half measures.
Play with passion.
My dog Suzie loves her balls, especially when thrown. She will play to the point of exhaustion if allowed. Suzie will often sit by the door and whine in new, inventive ways to draw attention. She simply can't get enough.
Sleep often.
Dogs are professional sleepers. They will literally sleep anywhere, in any position and at any time. I imagine “play hard, sleep hard” is their motto. Dogs match their love of play with that of sleep.
All of this wisdom on happiness... from a dog!
And we have only scratched the surface. The best philosopher I have ever known was, in fact, a dog. She may not have been as intelligent as a human being, but she was much wiser in many ways... happiness chiefly among them.
🤔 Food for Thought:
What other qualities do you admire in a dog?
What is your equivalent of playing fetch?
What do you imagine chasing after?
⚙️ One Small Step:
Imagine living the carefree life of a dog as a human. Try it out in real life once a week. Set aside some time where you can let loose and be 100% yourself. If it helps, have a dog by your side to show the way.