Openness

As is frequently the case, my dog was the source of another deep thought/spiritual lesson today. GK has continued with her new found habit of barking at me because she wants to go outside. So around 730 this morning, we went down the 3 flights of stairs, she did her business and we went back up.

At 830 she began barking again. Since I don't want to foster a pattern of immediate trips outside in response to barking (that could get All kinds of out of hand) I tried to distract her. Alissia also tried to engage her in play but within seconds she was back to barking. I should note, she really only barks at me. It's not that she stops barking when either one of us tell her to, but the barking is aimed at my direction.

When the attempts at distraction proved futile, I threw shoes back on and took her downstairs again. While she did go potty, I had this sense that it wasn't the entirety of the reason for our trip. A woman went by and remarked on what a beautiful dog Graceland is. She came over to pet her and chat for a minute. As she walked away, I thought to myself "What if the reason that Graceland wanted to come downstairs was because that lady needed a cuddly dog moment?" What do I know? It could be true.

We frequently see people on our walks because Evanston is a very dog friendly city. I met another healer who shared with me some information about rescuing dogs that really helped me understand GK better. Clearly, that walk, the Universe intended to give something to me (and hopefully back to the other healer as well) but this morning might have been about the woman out for a walk without a dog.

In the bigger picture this has me thinking about any of number of things to which I have resistance. Perhaps if I maintained this spirit of openness to all of my opportunities, I would bless and be blessed by many more people. What blessings have I missed when I let my resistance trump others' desires to have me join them, help them, or simply just being out and about.

I am a very social person but still have a strong introvert streak. I frequently use that as reason/excuse (half and half I would guess) to stay in. Certainly, good boundaries and enough alone time are essential, but for those times when I simply didn't Feel like it, what did I miss?

Today I am going to do my best to be open to my opportunities. The best I can do is take this new view of openness one day at a time, but I look forward to reporting back and my new adventures, friends and healing moments. Want to join me? :)