Oh the Joys They Bring...

So in the past couple days I have run across these pictures. I was immediately taken by their unarguable cuteness, but it was not until today that I read the initial blog post on Momma's Gone City... Here are the pictures that will crush you with adorableness.

The story goes that this family had been wanting a puppy for sometime and had begun searching online and about at local rescues. When I read this it made me so happy. I am now partial to rescues having adopted my love from there just a bit over a year ago. Until I decided I wanted a dog and started the search I did not have an opinion on pet stores vs. rescues. But oh man do I now! There are so many dogs in need of rescue it's absurd. Anyway, back to to the story. This family ended up visiting their local shelter and choosing this little guy. solely because he made an immediate connection with their little man. He walked right into his lap upon entering the pen. That makes my heart happy. A connection is what it's all about. And boy were they right in sensing that connection, as evidenced above, these two are inseparable and the cutest pair I've ever seen! Right?!

I could go on for days about the relationship an owner has with their pup and the happiness that comes when you make a connection. When I went to find a dog for myself I really never thought about making that connection. I gave the rescue a list of dogs that I wanted to meet based on their pictures. My pup, Savannah wasn't even on the list! After meeting a few hyper dogs on my list, my now friend, Aaron brought out Savannah. He said that she was a good girl and he thought I would really like her. Well when she came out of the house on her leash she was jumping and really excited. I thought he was crazy! But then she ran over to me, sat down and stared up at me with those beautiful amber eyes. You could tell all she wanted was love. I bent down to pet her and she immediately snuggled into me. When I stood up she jumped up and gave me what we lovingly call her hug. She was calm, beautiful, and so ready for someone to love her. I knew she was the one I was meant to have. I came back everyday to take her on walks until the day I ultimately took her home. I honestly couldn't stop telling people about her (and actually still can't!). She's the best. She's cuddly, calm, always happy, and extremely loyal. The joy she has brought me is beyond measure. And that is why this story made me so happy, this family is witnessing the happiness and it is beyond anything they could have imagined. It's wonderful.

That's my thought for today. Hope you all are doing well! Tell me about your pets!

Cheers,
Shannon

P.S. If you are looking for a dog and are in AZ check out Lost Paws. They are the best. Ever.

Old Friends & A Good Conversation

“A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part.”

—	Lessons Learned in Life

A chat with an old friend is the best. Talked to one of my dearest friends from grade school the other day. The best kind of friend, the kind where time apart doesn't make a difference in the flow of the relationship. Everything remains as it was. Anyway, we talked briefly, but the timing and impact of the conversation couldn't have been greater. Every so often I get in a rut. Feeling like I need something more from my life. Wondering, as everyone does from time to time, where my life is going. Should I be doing something more? Being less safe and taking more chances? Saving more money or traveling more? Don't get me wrong, I am a happy girl. I have no problem with my life now, but it is safe. My friend was having the same struggles, but for opposite reasons. She is a professional dancer in LA. She said to me, "You know Shan, you have it so nice. You own a home, you have a steady job. You're doing well for yourself." And you, know she's right! I have a good thing going. But so does she, and I let her know. She gets to travel all over, working different jobs with fantastic creative types all the time.  Pursuing her dream! Her life is exciting! But to her it is unsteady, and at times nerve racking. 

I guess the moral of the story is that I had my own personal grass-is-always-greener/aha-moment. We all think that someone else has it better. But what we forget to do is count our blessings, and really think about how great we have it. I think it may be better to tell ourselves that others don't have it better than us just because their life is different from ours. We are all equally blessed. It's time to stop comparing! Also, its necessary for us to stop defining our lives by our occupation. It's just one part of everything we have. I think that often we always turn to our job as THE thing that must be the problem. My friend and I ultimately decided that when feeling this way its not always about making a huge change, but maybe making a change in daily life. Changing up the little things. 

This talk really was an eye-opener for me! I teach dance, but sometimes I regret not taking the route my friend did. It would have been quite the ride. Bumpy for sure, but worth it! I've been thinking lately though that we are often where we are meant to be. I chose this route for a reason. And I have to believe that. I have learned so much from my job and I love it. I truly do. I would like to think that if I really was unhappy with my circumstances I would have the courage to take the leap no matter the risk! For now, maybe its just time for a vacation ;)

Here are three quotes that I love and relate exactly to this. (Love me some good words of wisdom):

“You’ll be fine. You’re 25. Feeling unsure and lost is part of your path. Don’t avoid it. See what those feelings are showing you and use it. Take a breath. You’ll be okay. Even if you don’t feel okay all the time.”

—

Louis CK

“Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.”

—	William Feather

“After all these years, I refuse to believe joy costs something, or we have to get on a plane to find it, that it has to happen on our vacation, and that dreams can’t come true on a Tuesday. I don’t know what I want to be, but I don’t think it involves spreadsheets and e-mails and big paychecks.”

—	Damn…that Was Awesome. – Duct Tape Then Beer

Kinda rambled, apologies. Sometimes I just have to get it out!

Cheers,
Shannon