What my Dog Taught Me

 

 

What my Dog Taught Me

My kids used to joke that I had more photos of my dog Gracie on my phone than of them.

My husband still teases that I devoted more pages of my book to Gracie than him.

They’re not wrong. She’s hard to resist.

But now, after nearly 16 years, my perfect pup has passed. And as I’m sure any pet parent knows my grief is real. But so is my gratitude.

Gracie was a wonderful friend and teacher. A few of her greatest lessons:

• Be present – that’s where life happens – not in ruminating about yesterday or worrying about tomorrow – but in the here and now. Show up.
• Be curious – Even after Gracie lost her hearing her curiosity never wavered. In fact, perhaps to compensate she became even more eager to explore.
• There’s always time in the day for a walk – rain or shine, snow or heat, no excuses – whether its 5-or 50-minutes – walk.
• Ask for what you want! Gracie was unapologetic in expressing her needs and desires. This was sometimes frustrating but mostly refreshing.
• Never miss an opportunity to celebrate when someone comes through the door. Gracie’s greetings were legendary. I hope to make everyone who walks through my door feel just as welcome and special.

Which Gracie lesson speaks most to you today?

(Heartfelt thanks to my amazingly talented friend Jennifer Schelter for this painting of Gracie. Feel free to reach out to Jennifer if you’re interested in a painting of your fur baby.)

Your leadership journey isn’t about escaping storms but about becoming the kind of leader who knows how to dance in the rain while keeping your team sheltered and moving forward.

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