SerenDestiny #59: Dog Days of Summer

Music: John Phillip Souza marches and Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man (in honor of Memorial Day)

Movement: From Lake Audubon to Lake Thoreau. I didn’t walk … I marched:-)

Musings: It’s imposssible to be unhappy around a happy dog.

I’m cheating a bit.

This is a photo of Murph before we head over to Lake Thoreau.

That’s the Jim McDonnel Swim Race about to start in the background. It always heralds the beginning of summer. I welcome what it represents, 3 months of sunshine.

Now, back to Murph.

She’ll be with me on all these walks – except when I travel.

Anyone who has a dog – or has had a dog – has already waxed eloquent about all they bring to our lives.

She has been a constant in my life for the past 10 years, ever since we moved here from Maui.

Always upbeat, always ready to explore.

In fact, when I spend too many hours at my writing desk; (which happens way too often); she prances over, ears up, eyes bright, and makes motions to the front door as if to say, “Isn’t it about time to get outside? The graphics are great.”

Other people have articulated, far better than me, what it means to have a canine companion. Here are a few favorites.

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, ‘My GOSH, you’re RIGHT! I NEVER would’ve thought of that!” – Dave Barry

“Dogs are minor angels. They love unconditionally, forgive immediately, are the truest of friends, willing to do anything that makes us happy. If we attributed some of those qualities to a person we would say they are special. But because it’s “only” a dog, we dismiss them as sweet or funny but little more. However when you think about it, what are the things we most like in another human being? Many times those qualities are seen in our dogs every single day– we’re just so used to them that we pay no attention.” – Joanthan Carroll

“Dogs are our link to paradise. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace.” – Milan Kundera

“The conclusion I have reached is that, above all, dogs are witnesses.” – Carolyn Parkhurst

And … in case you’re wondering what dogs have to do with SerenDestiny … SerenDestiny is a life where the light’s on in our eyes.

If you have a dog, you can think of hundreds of times your dog put the light on in your eyes, a smile or your face, a spring in your step.

And if the light ISN’T on in your eyes – maybe it’s time to head out for a walk with your dog. As said above, it’s impossible to be unhappy around a happy dog.

SerenDestiny #57: A Hundred Days of Summer: Music. Movement. Musings.

“Is not life a hundred times too short for us to become bored?” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Why is it some of us take life for granted when we’re fortunate to be blessed with health, freedom and love?

I think it has a lot to do with routines.

We get up at the same time. Have a quick breakfast or cup of coffee. Go to work. Come home. Have dinner with family, friends or ourselves. Take care of chores, bills, email and social media. Maybe watch some TV. Go to bed.

The downside of routines is it’s easy for life to become … routine.

And life is much too precious to become routine.

So, I’m doing something about it …and inviting you along.

Did you know we have exactly 100 days between now and Labor Day?

Let’s make those 100 days special. Let’s make this a summer to remember … a summer we’ll always remember.

Join me for a HUNDRED DAYS OF SUMMER: MUSIC. MOVEMENT. MUSINGS.

We have our health, freedom, friends and family. We have the big outdoors waiting for us to take advantage of it.

Let’s make the most of them.

Let’s create something special so we look back on Labor Day and smile at the exhilarating abundance we’ve experienced and enjoyed.

I vow (and hope you’ll vow with me) to:

MOVE: Every day I will get out for a fast walk somewhere NEW with my smart-phone, notepad and loyal canine companion, Murphy.

NEW movement is the key. No routine walks around the neighborhood, no working out on the treadmill in our basement or the Stairmaster at the gym.

Let’s move outside in nature and immerse ourselves in these summer days. I live in an incredible lakeside community with forested walking trails and stream parks. I’m going to explore them all.

MUSIC: Every day I will put in a new track on Pandora – which is free and an absolute joy – and sample fresh music.

MUSINGS: Every day I will take a photo of something I notice along the way. When observations turn into Aha’s, revelations or epiphanies about the essential nature of something; I will pause to write it down.

I will report out every day – share an insight and image of my musical and musings and movement – and hope you will too.

I promise to keep these to UNDER 500 words – and ask that you too.

With that said, I’ve got 58 words left so I better get cracking.

MUSIC: Hallelujah Radio on Pandora

MOVEMENT: Around Lake Audubon in Reston, VA

MUSINGS: Image of “Gratitude Bench” – where I go to send up thanks for all that’s right with my world.

Love that there was a life-jacket hanging on the bench. You know what I think?

Gratitude is a spiritual life-jacket that keeps us afloat in emotional storms.

Your turn.