Having a Gratitude Practice Not Just a Gratitude Attitude to Bring You Happiness and Well Being

We need a gratitude practice, not just a gratitude attitude. As Brene Brown, a renowned social science researcher asserts:

“When it comes to gratitude, the word that jumped out at me throughout this research process is practice. I don’t necessarily think another researcher would have been so taken aback, but as someone who thought that knowledge was more important than practice, I found these words to be a call to action. In fact, it’s safe to say that reluctantly recognizing the importance of practice sparked the 2007 Breakdown Spiritual Awakening that changed my life.”

She continues, “For years, I subscribed to the notion of an “attitude of gratitude.” I’ve since learned that an attitude is an orientation or a way of thinking and that “having an attitude” doesn’t always translate to a behavior. For example, it would be reasonable to say that I have a yoga attitude. The ideals and beliefs that guide my life are very in line with the ideas and beliefs that I associate with yoga. I value mindfulness, breathing, and the body-mind-spirit connection. I even have yoga outfits. But, let me assure you, my yoga attitude and outfits don’t mean jack if you put me on a yoga mat and ask me to stand on my head or strike a pose.  Where it really matters—on the mat—my yoga attitude doesn’t count for much.”  From Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You Are Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, 2010  Hazelden  page 78-79

Have You Ever Wondered What the Dalai Lama's Cat Would Say? Check Out This Novel

Every once in a while you come across a book that engages you so much that you can feel the emotions of the characters.  It’s a little embarrassing to say that this has happened to me with a feline protagonist.  His Holiness’s Cat (also called HHC or Snow Lion among other names) is the Dalai Lama’s cat living with him in his quarters in Jokhang.  Snow Lion was saved when two young boys were selling her and her littermates to make a small profit.  They were all taken too early from their mother, and Snow Lion was particularly vulnerable and weak.   Snow Lion tells her story in The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie. David Michie has also written other fiction including two more books about Snow Lion (I love series) and several nonfiction books about Buddhism.

From her perch in the Dalai Lama’s chambers Snow Lion observes the Dalai Lama’s meditation practice and his interactions with people from all walks of life as they flock to him.  Snow Lion learns more than anyone could ever learn about Buddhism without becoming a monk herself.  And, Snow Lion has the additional experiences of going to Café Franc down the street each day where she observes even more of life in a Buddhist-friendly environment.  Snow Lion’s observational skills are exceptional.  And her writing is fantastic.  In fact, sometimes you even forget that it is a cat that is writing this fictional story and you wonder how much of it is true.

New Bill in Senate to Bring Home Retired Combat Military Dogs

Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat from Oregon has just introduced a bill to bring retired military dogs home to the United States.  Those of us who have a strong bond with our pups can only image the intense connection that a military dog has with his/her veteran handler and how important it is for both dog and veteran to reconnect.  The Military Working Dog Retirement Act of 2015 would require the Department of Defense to pay for the dogs to come home when they retire from their combat role,  including if they are injured. 

The Department of Defense estimates that there are roughly 2,000 dogs currently working in the armed forces.  They are used to sniff for roadside bombs and other explosive devices.  They put their lives at risk for the US, the least we can do is bring them back in one piece.  As it stands now, the handler is the one who has to pay to have the retired dogs returned home.  This bill would make sure that a lack of money does not prevent the retired dogs being brought home safely.    

To read more about dogs in the military and this bill click here.

Kinder-preneurs Help Feed Needy Animals

A kindergarten class in Crystal Springs has created a program where they melt crayons to form beautiful shapes and exchange them to collect food for the pets of people receiving Meals on Wheels.  

Their mission statement is “learning through helping as a team.”   They are soaking up learning like sponges.   They have even created their own commercial to promote the program.  Since February, they have collected over 150 pounds of food for the pets.  To see these wonderful kids in action and learn more access the video at this site: 
http://www.news4jax.com/news/kindergartners-helping-pets/33051092

I Admit It, I’m a “Helicopter Parent” to My Pups and I’m Not Alone…Recent Research Suggests This May Be a Good Thing…

Researchers Reevy and Deldago, conducted a national survey of 1098 pet owners to learn more about the human-pet bond.  They measured their participants’ personality types, attachments to their pets (e.g., My pets and I have a very special relationship, My pet means more to me than my friends do)  and whether they identified as a “Cat Person” (19%)  a “Dog Person” (38.4%) “Both” (38.6%) or “Neither” (3.5%).  The majority of the participants lived with their favorite pet. 

10 Tips for a Successful Pet-Centered Meditation/Petitation Practice

Petitation is a type of meditation that you do with your pets.  We call it the peanut butter cup of health, meditating is great for you and so is having pets.  Therefore, it follows that Petitating is an excellent practice to enhance your health and well-being.  

Petitating deepens your connection with your pet and can help with relaxation and relieving anxiety for both of you.  Petitating also helps with mood regulation and sleep.  To learn more about Petitations, visit our website—www.petitations.org 

Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when you Petitate

1. Pick a time when your pet is already somewhat relaxed—this will help a successful Petitation practice and will happen more and more as you develop your practice
2. Find a comfortable position for you and your pet—as long as you don’t fall asleep, I recommend being comfortable so it is something that is pleasurable and you are more likely to do it
3. Try and incorporate Petitation as a daily habit, at least once a day.  Although I can’t always do it, I find starting my day with a short Petitation and ending with a longer Petitations works well for me
4. Start small, only a few minutes at a time—meditating is just like working out in a gym, you have to develop your meditation muscles with practice
5. Don’t force it….if you or your pet aren’t in the right space, try again later—forcing it will only make you and your pet miserable
6. Make sure that you prioritize Petitating—you and your pet are worth it
7. Don’t let it get you frustrated or stressed if you or your pet are having a hard time.  Petitations, although they are easier than other types of meditations, can be difficult. But, they are well worth it for improvement in physical and emotional health and a deeper connection with your pet
8. Try to incorporate different types of meditations or Petitations—this can include Basic Petting Petitations and Gratitude Petitations as well as the other ones we offer—I find that including different types keeps me and my pups interested
9. Do what works—If you like silent meditation or meditation to Steve’s music then do that, if you like guided meditations, there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s all about focusing your mind
10. Have fun—meditating/Petitating doesn’t have to feel like a chore.  It’s one of the most enjoyable part of the day for me and my pups

Pets are Social Bridges Between People and Enhance Neighborhoods

Social support is extremely important for physical and emotional health and well-being.  To better understand this, scientists in Australia and the United States led by Lisa Wood studied the impact of pets on social connectedness.