The National Geographic Channel’s The Dog Whisperer has become one of Johnny and my favorite shows. In the show, dog psychologist Cesar Milan frequently talks about how humans tend to live in either the past or the future, while dogs live in “the now.” (Psychologically dogs move beyond their experiences much faster than humans and are always focused on the present moment.) Cesar says that this causes problems with dog behavior because the owner spends so much time dwelling on the dog’s past or future behavior that he/she doesn’t pay attention to the dog’s behavior in the present moment. To solve this problem Cesar tells the owner that he/she needs to live in “the now.”
I think that living in “the now” is a lesson of which I need frequent reminding. The past and the future are important, but they should not completely overshadow what is happening right now. I have always been a worrisome person. If I let myself I will spend hours thinking about past conversations wondering if I said the right thing or worrying about what might happen in my future. Instead of listening to the person I am talking to I think about my next deadline at work. And with all of the worry going on in my head, I miss the important things happening in “the now.”
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:26-27
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July 1st, 2008 at 11:17 am
wow…this is so true, and i really struggle with this. i am a planner, and so I am always looking forward to the next thing…i need to live in the now and recognize what God is trying to teach me at this very moment. thanks for your thoughts, Christy.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
I love that show! Thanks for sharing Christy.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hmm, that’s interesting about dogs! I definitely have a problem with living in “the now.” I do dwell on the past some, but my bigger problem is always wanting what’s next.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Thanks for sharing Christy! Our society is always telling us we need more and the next new thing, etc. Recently all the kids were counting the days til school got out and I remember telling someone it saddened me bc everyone can not wait until ….. but what about today, what about now? we just let it pass up by, by counting the days until…
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Suzy & I love watching Dog Whisperer too! There are lots of practical lessons to be gained from that show, both personally and in the area of childrearing. Besides the “in the now” idea, I like Cesar’s philosophy of “calm assertiveness.”
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
We need to preach this to ourselves everyday!