Asa here. While Chuck Billy is busy practicing sitting on his pedestal, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on our recent experience training Mom and Dad.  In many of his posts Chuck Billy accuses me of not grasping the seriousness of the situation or goofing off entirely.  However, it is simply because we have a different perspective on what it means to be living in the moment.  Chuck Billy is all about obeying the rules, whereas I’m more of a free spirit and take a mindful living approach to things.

Rather than judge if a situation is good or bad, wrong or right, I prefer to keep an open mind and embrace the moment.  If I hear an intriguing sound, I follow it.  If something catches my attention, I stop to get a better look and perhaps even taste it.  In short, by living with an open mind and letting go of expectations, I experience the unexpected.  Whereas in contrast Chuck Billy is all about being prepared for the unexpected, and working as a team to react to it.

I can understand though how that openness can get me into trouble from time to time.  For example if my nose tells me to roll in something I just do it, without stopping to ask how Mom and Dad may react.  This has earned me more baths than I care to admit.  Or there was the time while hiking that I almost dragged Dad and Chuck Billy off a cliff because I was lured by the siren call of a chipmunk.  But Dad stopped us in time before tumbling to our death.  Besides, once that moment passed, I move on from the learning experience.  I don’t dwell on it.  Instead, I choose to spend my days focusing on the here and now, and not worrying about the what ifs of life or reacting to things that occurred in the past.

Funny thing about mindful living, most puppies naturally live this way.  It is only as we grow up that the “reality” of life takes over this awareness of the here and now.  As I age, I notice that I have become more conscious of the rules and consequences.  Therefore, I admit that Mom and Dad’s trainer did teach me a few good habits.  But in doing so perhaps I’m missing out on new experiences and limiting myself?  Therefore, it is my goal to continue to channel my inner puppy and carry on living mindfully, open to everything each moment has to offer.  However, I also promise to be more mindful of respecting the needs of others, and perhaps not be so quick to fully experience everything around me.  So next time Chuck Billy accuses me of not taking a situation seriously, please keep an open mind.  Be more puppy!

Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.  In short, be more puppy!