Archive for the ‘Action’ Category
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Sometimes we just know something is the right thing to do. Sometimes we’re not so sure. When we’re not sure, it’s tempting to back away and not take a risk.
But we don’t have to use this either/or approach to life. We can follow a middle road.
Joyful Springers reconnoiter when necessary. When they aren’t sure of the next step, they move ahead slowly and investigate each possible direction. They take a peek at options, and they don’t back away from any possibility.
Even if something you’re thinking about doing doesn’t seem quite right yet, don’t give up on it. Explore it a bit. You might find an opening to a project, business, or relationship that feels comfortable enough risk.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Jackie is back. This lovely girl from the San Francisco Bay area is usually ready for a good time, but sometimes she has her cautious moments too. Thanks, Jackie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Joy, Possibility, Risk, spaniel, springer, springer spaniels, springers
Posted in Action, Decisions, Possibility, Springer Spaniel | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
Who among us hasn’t done or gotten something because “everyone else” does it or has it?
Trends. Procedures. Routines. Habits. Everyone has an established way of seeing the world and an established way of being in the world. Everyone has a rut … or two or three or a hundred. When we’re interacting with the people around us, it’s easy to get caught in another person’s rut.
Joyful Springers ignore the ruts around them. They don’t automatically do it how it’s always been done or get it because everyone else wants it. They think for themselves and make their own unique choices.
Life is a vast expanse of untouched sand just waiting for your individual imprint. When you find your own way instead of following in someone else’s tracks, you’ll make discoveries that will delight you.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Muggins was happiest on the beach, in ruts, or out of them.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: Authenticity, Dogs, English springer spaniel, get out of your rut, indviduality, Joy, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers, uniqueness
Posted in Action, Authenticity, Dogs, Individuality, Springer Spaniel | 3 Comments »
Sunday, August 1st, 2010
It’s a cliche, but it’s one worth repeating: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Or as author and speaker Og Mandino said, ”Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day!”
Joyful Springers run with the baton. They grab hold of opportunity when they spot it, and they charge forward.
When you see possibility, don’t hesitate. Embrace it. Act on it. Race on into your best life.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Ducky has discovered the joys of carrying sticks on the beach. We have to show her how to find the balance point so she doesn't drag them, but once she has a good hold of it, she's off and running. Keep away is one of her favorite games.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: Dogs, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today, English springer spaniel, Joy, og mandino, Opportunity, Possibility, run with it, run with the baton, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, take the baton
Posted in Action, Dogs, Goals, Opportunity, Possibility | No Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Sometimes we act before we think, and we end up making big messes in the process. Once we’ve made a mess we can’t clean up on our own, we try and talk our way out of it. This way of living rarely works out all that well. As author Stephen R Covey wrote, “You can’t talk your way out of what you’ve behaved yourself into.”
Joyful Springers behave into good things. They act consistently with their values and their goals, so they don’t make messes they aren”t willing to clean up.
Sometimes you need to stir things up in order to get what you want, but before you start stirring, be sure you’re ready for the mess you’ll make in the process. Act in ways that are consistent with your core ideals, and you’ll never have to talk your way out of anything.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Rainy's back, and she has her sister, Roxy, with her. These sweet girls from Portland, Oregon, were 11 weeks old when this photo was taken. Thanks, Rainy and Roxy, for guest starring on The Joyful Springer.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: behaved yourself into, core ideals, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Goals, Joy, spaniel, Springer Spaniel, springers, stephen r covey, talk your way out, think before you act
Posted in Action, Dogs, Honor, Springer Spaniel | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Isn’t it relaxing when we can find a comfort zone and stay in it? Ahh … no effort required.
The problem with comfort zones, though, is that they don’t often allow us to reach our visions.
Joyful Springers extend themselves. They look beyond what’s familiar, and they stretch into the uncomfortable and easy so they can get to the exciting and new.
Are you settling for something that doesn’t light you up just because it’s what you’re used to? Reach beyond your comfort zone today, and put your sights on what you really want in your life.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Ducky was fully extended when she barked and barked and barked at a deer chowing down on bushes in front of the house. She was determined that the deer WOULD NOT come into her house and steal her food. After I opened the window to shoo the deer away (before Ducky got hoarse from too much barking), Ducky took up position hanging over the back of the living room sofa, staring toward the front of the house, on guard against surreptitious deer invasion.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: comfort zone, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Joy, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, vision
Posted in Action, Comfort, Dogs, Goals, Springer Spaniel | No Comments »
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Ann Landers said, “I advise keeping four feet on the floor and all hands on deck.” Smart lady. In essence, she’s reminding us to stay grounded and alert.
Joyful Springers stay on deck. They remain energetic and aware so they can face whatever comes their way.
When you take care of yourself so you always have energy and balance, you can remain open to anything life brings. And when you’re open to anything, you’re ready for anything.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Murphy and Ollie are back. These boys from Indiana are obviously ready for anything. Thanks, Murphy and Ollie, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: all hands on deck, Ann landers, Balance, Dogs, Energy, English springer spaniel, four feet on the floor, Joy, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, springers, stay grounded
Posted in Action, Balance, Dogs, Energy, Springer Spaniel | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Sometimes life’s burdens get awfully darn heavy and awkward. It can be overwhelming just to contemplate getting out of bed to face an ordinary day.
When it all feels like too much, it’s time to find something easy.
Joyful Springers find something to grab onto. They know they can’t get their teeth around the big problems in life, but they can get a hold of something small use that leverage to drag the rest of what they want into place.
If you’re buried in big problems, today just forget about those monsters. Find some small task that feels manageable and do that. Make a phone call or straighten up one tiny corner of a room or get your hair cut or drink more water. Do some little thing that moves you in a direction you want to go. When you do this, you’ll find that your energy shifts just a little. That shift will help you move on to the bigger problems when the time is right.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Muggins was the master of finding a way to carry heavy objects. She loved to carry logs of many sizes and shapes.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: depression, Dogs, English springer spaniel, Problem Solving, problems, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel
Posted in Action, Dogs, Energy, Goals, Springer Spaniel | 2 Comments »
Monday, July 5th, 2010
They say a “watched pot never boils.” That’s not exactly true, but the wisdom of the saying stands–hovering around waiting for something to happen isn’t the best way to enjoy life.
Joyful Springers take a bite of the pot. They get right in there and taste life instead of hanging back.
You can play a fun and active role in the joy of your life today. Chew on thoughts and ideas that make you feel good, and you can cook up all kinds of wonderful experiences.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Lucy is back. Lucy, Ducky's sister, was about 9 weeks old in this picture. Thanks, Lucy, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, Feeling Good, Fun, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel, taste life, watched pot never boils
Posted in Action, Dogs, Joy, Springer Spaniel | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
When our energy is getting yanked in too many directions, we can feel it. We’re trying to meet too many responsibilities, keep up with too much, take on too many things. When this happens, if we don’t make some choices about where to direct our energy, we’ll burn out.
Joyful Springers round up their energy when necessary. They know that sometimes, they need to carefully choose how to spend their time, and they have to let some things go while they pull their energy in on a tighter focus.
If you’re feeling a little frazzled, think about what you can let go or relax a little. A few shifts can make everything manageable again.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[This picture was taken during Ducky's recovery time following her spay surgery. She wasn't a fan of being still, but she adapted. I'm learning from her example. Lately, circumstances have created a situation where I need to round up my energy a bit. So I'm going to be doing just one Joyful Springer post per day for the foreseeable future. If you're enjoying these posts, I'd HUGELY appreciate if you'd share them with friends or family. If you subscribe to the blog, you can forward the e-mails to others. If you don't subscribe but you visit regularly, you can tweet the posts or share via some other social networking site. I'd very much love your help to create more Joyful Springers (remember, a Joyful Springer is a person or animal who makes feeling good his or her #1 priority, a being who springs into the joyful moments in life.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
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Tags: Dogs, Energy, English springer spaniel, Focus, Joy, rest, spaniel, springer, Springer Spaniel
Posted in Action, Dogs, Energy, Focus, Relaxation, Springer Spaniel | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Is there some skill you’re trying to acquire that seems to be eluding you? Maybe you’re spending too much time learning and not enough time doing.
Joyful Springers get their teeth into it. When they want to do something well, they just start doing it, and they learn as they go.
Don’t wait until you’ve acquired all the knowledge you think you need before you sink your energy into doing something new. Even if you’re a young pup when it comes to your new skill, just go for it and see what happens.
… another wise tidbit from a joyful English Springer Spaniel.
[Ruby is back. This one-year old Springer spaniel (several weeks old in the photo) lives in Naches, Washington with her devoted people, Gary and Susan Dysart. Gary says Ruby has been "the best thing" for them, "a true blessing." Thanks, Ruby, for guest starring again on The Joyful Springer.]
Would your dog like to be a Guest Star on The Joyful Springer? All dogs can fit the definition of a Joyful Springer. Click here to find out how to submit your photo.
If you have contacted me regarding a submission and haven’t heard from me within 48 hours, please contact me again. I’ve had a couple of my replies returned to me, perhaps because of a mistyped e-mail address. I’m NOT ignoring anyone. If you contact me, I reply. So please try again.
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Tags: Dogs, English springer spaniel, get your teeth into it, Joy, knowledge, Learning, spaniels, springer, Springer Spaniel
Posted in Action, Dogs, Learning, Springer Spaniel | 2 Comments »
