Meeting
your soul is not a onetime event but a moment-to-moment deepening, an
ongoing rite of passage from who you thought you were to who you really
are.
—Living
From The
Inside Out
Growing up on my family's farm in Louisiana, I encountered the expansive opportunities that animals provide. Amid a myriad of farm animals, my family also had an elephant in the front yard, a hippopotamus in the back yard, and two resident chimpanzees. Through them, I began to cultivate deeply meaningful connections that opened my heart to love.
Today, I live in a townhouse with my canine, Qter. Although I originally rescued him from the dog-pound, he regularly rescues me from misplaced priorities and crippling emotions to simple kindness and infusions of humor. Qter consistently reminds me what great religions and spiritual traditions have always taught: Nothing is more powerful than loving.
Qter is my teacher when it comes to love. Loving is his nature and he does it better than anyone else I know. Regardless of race, creed, gender, or conditioning, he genuinely loves everyone. Whenever we go on a walk, he refuses to move past anyone without joyfully greeting them with a wagging tail as well as offering them an opportunity to pet him.
Recently on a morning walk, Qter spent extra time with a homeless man. The man smiled and hugged my little four-legged companion. Qter reciprocated by licking his face. As I watched their interaction, I wondered if Qter knew about the research that reveals smiling as an automatic mood elevator that helps to alleviate irritation and distress. Or, if he was aware that hugging stimulates the pituitary gland, which in turn releases endorphins into the bloodstream, reducing pain and enhancing relaxation. Or, if he was informed that researches have confirmed that people witnessing acts of service also emit measurable amounts of immune-boosting chemicals. Or, if he overheard Ben Williams say, "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Whether he knew it or not, Qter left all of us better than he found us. Qter was a selfless servant, therapist, physician, minister, personal trainer, and humanitarian as he demonstrated the healing power of love. It was only nine o'clock a. m. and Qter had already made this world a better place. How many people can boast of that?
When the heart opens, loving enters. Even though there can be layers of obstacles, conditioning, and debris hiding our heart, who better than an animal to provide a safe place to reopen it? No wonder the animal kingdom is used in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools to provide emotional treatment and benefits to human beings.
Animals are such supportive friends—they ask no questions, they tell no secrets, they pass no judgements, and they pretend you're brilliant. Humorist Dave Barry proclaims, "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!"
I think Qter knows that the way to entertain me is through listening. I'm constantly reading him articles I write, sharing new ideas, telling him my recent dilemmas, and confiding my innermost thoughts. He attentively listens as I discern my experiences, reconcile conflicting parts of myself, and develop new ideas. Qter wisely shows his support by wagging his tail instead of his tongue.
He consistently presents me with opportunities to surrender my intellectual position and lead with the intelligence of my heart. Instead of holding on to expectations about how things are supposed to be, Qter reminds me to be present and simply share the moment. Guided by simple yet profound pleasures, Qter calls my attention to the enjoyment of smelling a rose, the awe of a beetle crossing the sidewalk, and the amusement of chasing a leaf floating downstream.
Acts of loving have a ripple effect. Because Qter gives so freely, he opens the channel to receive abundantly. Although I had a local window treatment store give me an estimate to place an awning above my upstairs balcony, I decided not to purchase it based on the expense. A month later, Qter took me on a unique walk past a home that was being remodeled. The new owners decided to remove the awning over their balcony. The contractors were just finishing the job when Qter spotted them, rushed over, and made friends. Today, their hunter green awning is hanging over my balcony and providing shade for Qter's afternoon nap.
Humanistic psychologist, Leo Buscaglia said, "If one wishes to be a lover, he must start by saying 'yes' to love." Qter meets the criteria of a skillful lover. I think he is definitive evidence that God values love more than intelligence. Since we become what we habitually do, when we consistently practice loving, we become accomplished lovers. I'm prepping to become an expert like my four-legged friend. Following Qter's lead, I'm learning to say "yes" to love.
Feel free to share this inspirational message with friends, just keep the copyright and credits intact. If you enjoyed this article and would like more practical guidance to soulful living, read Dr. Jean-Marie Hamel’s book, Living from the Inside Out.
© 2005 Jean-Marie Hamel