Little Steps: Defining Our Journey

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This post was written by: Gailstrail

Okay, I made a commitment to write a post every Sunday. I’ve been thinking all week about what I want to say. There are so many choices. I’m so glad you found your way to this spot in the universe. Thanks for dropping in.

What Are The Choices?

It’s Sunday morning and every time I’ve tried to sit down to write, Pieper insists that she needs me to play or take her for a hike. Look at that face, How can I say no. I opt for ‘play, as I can clean the deck and throw the ball at the same time. Between the sun, wind and snow throughout the year, everything turns brittle here; including me. Want to stay young and beautiful? Hydrate.

When Does It Get To Be My Turn?

After a little over an hour of play fetch the ball and cleaning the deck, at last, Pieper and Bernie (Bernadette’s parents are in China) are sleeping soundly for the moment. I get a turn at writing.

Discovery!

While sweeping the deck, I discovered how what I want to do, and the steps I take to get there, shape my life. Not the big things; like finishing this post, but the little things I have to do in order to get to the posting. Like coordinating playing with ‘furry beasts’ and cleaning the deck…a definite case of one and one not equaling two ; in this case it equals three or maybe four.

1. Pieper and Bernie got to play and exercise.
2. I got the deck cleaned.
3. I got to sit down and write.
4. Pieper and Bernie are getting rest from playing.

Does ‘The End Justify The Means’?

The little steps we take in our ‘day to day’ lives defines each of us. Uninteresting? I don’t think so. Where do we want to go? How can we get there? Does ‘the end justify the means’? To what end? What means?

Example: I wrestled with the idea of getting someone to clean my house. My thinking; if someone could do the unpleasant tasks, then I could do more important things; like writing this post.  However, I really can’t afford to have someone clean my house.  Question. If I could, would I?
Humm, I wonder? Knock, knock, here comes my conscience! Everything has a season and a reason. Every step I take, no matter how little, is significant. I clean my house and in between, everything seems to fit together just great.

The Journey Is All We Have

The journey is really all we have. Not a new concept, but a concept worth repeating. We humans aren’t the ’sharpest’ knives in the box. Look what’s happening to our noses! Therefore: Being In The Moment and Being Present should be at the forefront of our mind.

The means by which I get to where I want to be defines the person I am; playing with my ‘furry beasts’; cleaning the deck; deciding what order everything gets done; and taking time to talk about how these steps affects me and those around me creates my journey.

Their Turn!

The ‘furry beasts’ are up again and are anxious to go get some exercise. And I think it’s time for me to take a hike! I’ll take my camera today. Yesterday afternoon we came upon a beautiful doe grazing in the rolling hills next to my home.

The hike was wonderful; the pictures I took show vistas of the lay of the land surrounding my home. We hiked for almost two hours. When we arrive home, we’re ready for a snack. Pieper didn’t eat much breakfast and I know she is starved, as am I…Bernie on the other hand, seems to always be ready to eat. I’ve been making her sit and wait until I tell her ‘okay’; otherwise she dives into her bowl at full speed. She always seems to be hungry. Steve and Marsha feed Bernie Purina One. I feed Pieper Merrick 5 Star Entrées for Dogs. She loves it! And never seems to be starving. We eat and now there’s shopping to be done. I try to leave the dogs home, but they will have none of it…so off we go.

Into The Real Wild!

My first choice is not to drive. I put off driving to the last moment; like when I’m out of something and nothing can take its place. My shopping list is done. I have to go out into the streets, meet and great other humans…face to face. Indoor flea market for deck stain; bird place for birdseed; which was closed, as was the KR Pet-N-Feed Supply shop where I buy Pieper’s food. If I had taken time to read their business card I would have noticed they’re not open on Sundays; wasted gas and about 10 minutes on that trek. Lessons learned. I won’t make that mistake again. However, I made a great find at the flea market; a paper shredder. I’m a happy camper. On to the grocery store.

Home Again!

Ah, safe and sound. Get the ‘furry beasts’ in, unload the car, get more laundry going, put away groceries, give the dogs some treats…thank goodness Marsha and Steve are getting back from China tonight and they will be re-united. She’s ready for some one on one, and so is Pieper.

Full Circle

What the heck was I talking about? Oh, Little Steps: Defining my journey and getting to where I want to be. Well, in the big picture, all the little steps I’ve taken this week end may not seem like much; but I’m pretty darn close to where I planned on being; I’ve a clean house; good food; I feel good and I’m almost ready for winter. Winter is such a peaceful time. Snow, crackling fires and good friends to share the season. Hopefully, no more prickly burrs for Pieper to get into and I’m about to take Bernie home.

Happy Trails