On a lighter note, we somewhat recently began letting our dog sleep around the house, outside of her crate, and woke the other day to find multiple piles of shit and puke scattered about.
Now of course, Thich Nhat Hanh says we should be grateful for such things that stop us dead in our tracks, providing us with a chance to yield, fall back to earth, breathe, and remember to simply be where we are – in the present moment.
So, after some brief words with the dog, I eventually allowed the mindless activity of cleaning various forms of excrement to provide me with this rare opportunity to slow down and be mindful.
And why stop there? I also spent some time the other morning frantically looking for some missing diggers in our back yard that my 2-year old was demanding be found. My frustration grew as I was held back from rushing out, and that is when I noticed a rather large chunk of dog shit creeping up the side of my sneaker.
So I got the hose out, took off the shoe, held it in such a fashion and went to it. As I began with the hose, meticulously spraying off the thick layer of shit, I lost myself in the activity and suddenly I was free. It completely took me out of my head and dissolved the build up of tension and frustration. I left the yard chuckling, remembering how blissful it is to remain no where else but in this moment and with an empty mind.
Neither the past nor the future exist, so why go there? Why go to a place that isn’t real, that is designed to cause us pain and angst, and that doesn’t include fresh dog poop? Be joyful ye brothers and sisters, pick up barf and feces!
God, teach me to be where my feet are…
I chuckled when I read your post. Tuesday night I cleaned up after a puking dog too. Yesterday, my daughter still claimed she could smell “the smell”.
When I got home, I was sitting on the sofa and could smell something as well. I leaned back and that's when I felt the crusted vomit from my dog! He looks out the window and he must have gotten sick on the sofa as well as the floor! No one noticed because the sofa is dark and I think we focused on the carpet mess. YUKKKK! So, I spent a mindful night cleaning with white vinegar and baking soda. The priceless part was telling my daughter she had sat on the sofa during the day and had not noticed!
p.s. I love your blog and plan on purchasing your book for my son. He is currently in Community Corrections, transitioning from prison to eventual probation. He said he had a spiritual experiences in both jail and prison which he believes lead to his sobriety. He believes as you do, that it had to happen in order for him to wake the hell up. I wish he could find a local sponsor with your attitude. A lot of what he is saying is like reading your blog. Thanks for writing!
Great post…I look forward to all your writings…I purchased 2 of your books. And… I thank God for you and your surrender to HIM…
God has promised us now…it is a gift, and that is why we call it the 'present'.. Live it to the fullest, and thank and praise HIM for it always…Amen
We have two dogs and two cats… Seems like every day we come home to either throw-up or poop…UGGH. But I love them anyway and couldn't be without an animal or two! Thanks for the post, Charlie.. (the other Liz)!
This is a terrific account, Sheri. I should take poop submissions! By the way, thank you for reading and sharing about your son. It sounds as though his spiritual experience/growth is authentic. Believe me, I wish I could sponsor him, though if he truly wants to do this, I'm sure the universe will conspire to bring him someone. God bless him, and God bless you.
I thank the Lord for you as well, Liz. And I promise you that I will continue to try to set an example and to show deference to our God, as nothing will destroy us sooner than human arrogance. Bless you and thank you so much for getting the books. I am truly grateful.
It is brutal, isn't it? It's like, “What, you don't love me? What is WRONG with you?!” Lol. We have a rescue lab mix and she is like rags to riches here. You wouldn't believe the food we buy her – and, um, it just ends up on the floor!
My pleasure, Liz. Thank you so much for reading.