As the owner of an 80 pound super lab, I enjoyed this short article by Aaron Hamburger, “How My Dog Makes Me a Better Traveler” via Matador Network.

Hamburger highlights how “Mr. Fluff,” his 5-year-old Pomeranian, has blessed him with a different perspective on travel and life.

My favorite takeaways:

1. Gratitude. Think you need an iPhone 7+++, 3,000 calories a day, a 10,000 square foot home or designer-label whatever?

Mr. Fluff: “How about just a back seat and a road trip…”

All good. Let’s roll.

2. Adaptability. Can’t imagine a day without the 24/7 infotainment barkers yelping in the background?

Maybe you’re busy perfecting your “workaholism is a good thing!” routine?

Mr. Fluff: “How about a little quiet daydreaming and some amazing scenery…”

3. Living in the Present. Overanxious about tomorrow, next week, next month?

Apprehensive about the electric bill, a make-or-break presentation, or whatever is preventing you from experiencing this moment right here, right now?

Turn your self-absorption dial all the way down to zero for a change. Quit lying to yourself that if X or Y doesn’t happen, the world will spin off of its axis.

Mr. Fluff lives here and now, not yesterday or next week.

Yes, seek to understand the past to learn from it, but don’t “live” there.

Thoughtfully plan for the future, but don’t live a life consumed by what may (or may not) happen tomorrow, next week or next month.

Gratitude, Adaptability and Embracing the Present.

Pretty good advice from a five-year-old Pomeranian rescue, don’t you think?

As Sophocles said 2,500 years ago: “Tomorrow is tomorrow. Future cares have future cures, and we must mind today.”

If you find a way to take Mr. Fluff’s advice today, please feel free to reach out at hello@strengthslauncher.com.

We’d love to hear about it!

Cheers,

DW

*Bonus Customer Service Info: La Quinta Inn has a “pets welcome” policy at over 700 locations (under 50 pounds).