Just Breathe

Life can be a blur of motion and a cacophony (my new favorite word I just discovered in the book I’m currently reading and I just couldn’t wait to use it – threw it in my very first sentence! For those uninformed, as I was a day ago, it means a combination of discordant sounds) of noise. Our days race by, the next faster than the last, and if we’re not careful we can get caught up in the wake and not realize it.

I don’t know about you, but most of the time I find it hard to concentrate and focus on the task at hand because my mind is racing through my to-do list and mentally sorting out my upcoming obligations. I’m constantly multi-tasking as much as possible in an attempt to squeeze in everything that needs to be done.

This constant busy mental motion creates a less than appealing state of mind, specifically in relation to our interactions with others. When we’re rushing around with a busy mind we will be more easily frustrated, have a short temper, won’t listen well and leave bad impressions on those we come into contact with.

Although we may be aware of this happening with our family and friends, we may not realize how it affects our relationship with our dog. Our dogs are more sensitive than our human associates and are more easily influenced by a hurried, frustrated state of mind.

Dogs are very aware of how we’re feeling and their behavior will often reflect our energy. If your dog is acting up and you get easily frustrated and impatient, your dog will only respond with similar negative energy – usually in the form of his annoying behavior of choice. This will cause you to become even more frustrated and angry because now what should have taken you a few minutes to accomplish is quickly doubling and tripling in time.

Nothing good will come when you are in a rushed or impatient. There is a way to break this cycle and stop your mind before it derails, and it won’t take you any additional time out of your busy schedule because it’s something you are already doing: breathing.

Breathing may be something we do all the time, each and every day, but we rarely give it much thought and often take for granted its importance. I recommend taking a second or two to take a big deep breath before you begin any interaction with your dog. This one, cleansing breathe will help facilitate being calm and make you take note of how you are feeling. You will be surprised what a big impact this simple exercise can have on your interactions with your dog (and people). Before you enter into situations where you typically get frustrated, take a brief moment to take one big, cleansing breath. The more you do this throughout your day, the greater the positive change in your state of mind will be.

So start right now – take a deep breathe . . . Feels good doesn’t it.