As Bud and I wandered around Home Depot, I was struck by how much we could learn from this little guy.

Leap into the Experience

Bud knows exactly which stores let him come in.  If I pull up at the grocery store, he knows he’s going to wait in the car, and he’s a patient guy.  But if I pull up at Home Depot, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Ace Hardware, or Michael’s—places where he’s been in the store—he starts barking as I pull into the parking lot. It’s as if he’s saying, “I know they let doggies in there, so don’t even think about leaving me in the car!”

When I open the car door to move him from the back seat to the store cart, he leaps into my arms with abandon, anticipation and joy.  He gets to go!  He’s ready for a new experience!  He’s jumping in with both all four feet!

How often do we leap into the experience?  And how often do we hang back, dipping one toe into the water, missing opportunities because we were too cautious and hesitated for too long?

Pay Attention to Self Care

When I take Bud into a store, he rides around in the shopping cart.  The bottoms can be hard on little beagle paws.  So Bud has subliminally communicated to me that he’d be much more comfortable if I’d take his cushion that sits in the back seat of my car, and put it in the bottom of the cart.

He rides around in beagle comfort. He had a nice, soft place to sit.

What about you?  Are you willing to ask for what you want?  Are you willing to pay attention to self care?  Or do you spend all of your time being pulled by other people’s needs?

Be Friendly and Add Value for the People You Meet

Bud is really clear about his life’s purpose, even though he’s never read a self help book or been to a seminar.  He knows he’s here to love, and to bring joy to others.

Bud’s a people magnet. Everyone from old men to small children are drawn to this little angelic dog.  He somehow sends out a message that says, “I’d be delighted if you’d come over here and talk to me, or pet me, or say how cute I am! I will be open to you, and will adore our time together.  I will add joy to your life right now!”

Is that the vibe you send out (okay, maybe minus the petting)?  Are you open and friendly? Do you look for ways to help other people? Can you connect in meaningful ways?

Revel in the Moment

Bud is totally present. He’s in the moment. He plays full out.

He’s not messing around with the past, analyzing his puppyhood and the less-than-stellar treatment he had from the person who had him before he came to us.  He doesn’t spend time worrying about whether he’ll have enough time in the backyard to play tomorrow.

Nope, he is where he is. When we’re in the garden section, he’s sniffing the flowers, wagging his tail with glee.  When we’re walking up the hardware aisle, he’s looking around in curiosity and amazement.  When the guy’s cutting my masonite board, he’s totally focused on Matt the awesome lumber guy.

Is that true for you?  Can you be totally present in each moment? This one’s still a challenge for me.  Bud has agreed to be my mentor so I can learn this from him.

When It’s Over, It’s Over

Bud spent no time wishing we could have wandered up one more aisle, looked at one more piece of lumber, or met one more little girl.  Once we left the store, he was ready to leap back in the car, stick his head out the window, and move on to the next experience.

Bud doesn’t look back. When he’s squeezed all of the juice out of this moment, this experience, he’s ready to move on to what’s next.

What about you?  Can you let go and move on?  Or do you get stuck in what could have been?

Bud’s Challenge to Us

So here’s our challenge. Can we take Bud’s Home Depot lessons and apply them to our own lives?  Where are we as wise as Bud the Beagle, and where are our opportunities for growth?

Please share your thoughts below.

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