Life Lesson Learned From Augie

Lesson One – Focus on what you do have and not on what you don’t have

Hi there, you may know the story that I have been fostering Augie, the little pit bull from Friends to the Forlorn, for a little over a year. Just a few days ago his story aired on the Dodo.  Here is the link to the video – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=577477902821588 so that you can watch it in case you haven’t seen it yet. Since the video was published, more than 10 million people viewed it and I received many heartfelt messages from people who were touched by Augie’s tenacity, resilience, and zest for life.

While caring for this little guy I was reminded by him of so many lessons that can serve us all in this journey of life. That’s why I will record a few videos for you where I will share with you the life lessons that Augie wants you and me to remember:

I start out with the first lesson that is – Focus on what you do have and not what you don’t have.

When Augie came to my home, he couldn’t use his hind legs. Additionally, he had a serious injury on his right hind leg that left his paw deformed. A few weeks later a vet diagnosed that he had neurological problems and that most likely he would not be able to walk properly. What a bummer – for me but not for Augie.

Throughout this journey, Augie never felt sorry for himself. He didn’t compare himself with other dogs or sat in the corner being depressed because they could run around and he couldn’t. Instead, he focused on his front legs. They worked fine. They got stronger. Nothing held him back. He has always been determined to go where he wanted to go. Because he stayed focused on the front legs that he could use instead of the hind legs that didn’t work yet properly.

If your life has been turned upside down right now, don’t focus on what you don’t have, but focus on what you do have. Let’s start out by thinking about all the things that most people take for granted every day. Our eye sight, our health, the ability to walk, the ability to drive somewhere, a roof over our head, the family and friends around us, the pen that we can use to write, the flower in your front yard. The switch to turn on the electricity. I can go on and on. Focus on the things that you have. What you focus on expands. Having Augie in my life for that long helped me appreciate all the things that I have been taking for granted, not only for myself but also for my dogs.

Here is a question for you: What would you like to focus on and expand in the next 4 months?

Do you want to have more peace of mind? Do you want to feel more vital? Do you want to be more productive at your job? Do you want to resolve a behavioral issue in your dog?

If you come up with one thing that you want to expand in the next 4 months, I invite you to my upcoming introductory workshop called “Become the person your dog inspires you to be.”

The workshops are on Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23 at 7 pm on Zoom. The fee is free. To sign up, click here.

I would love for you to join us so that you can get inspired by your dog the way Augie inspired me. I look forward to seeing you there.