Many of us are rethinking how we live and trying to live more simply.
Perhaps it’s because we want to combat climate change. Maybe we want to live in a less materialist way. Perhaps it’s a necessity because of financial constraints. Changing our lifestyle to embrace Living Simply is commendable. It can benefit us and our environment.
But how many of us have given any thought to “simply living?” Our companion animals can teach us how to do this.
Animals don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They simply live – in the now, the present moment. They don’t carry emotional baggage. They don’t hoard problems. They don’t carry the world’s problems on their shoulders. They don’t get weighed down with decision making or suffer from indecisiveness. They simply are.
Animals are grateful for small things – a fluffy blanket, a warm lap, a bowl of food and the love of their human companions. All that our pets expect is for things to stay the same. They expect their home and there food to be there – always. They don’t anticipate or worry about change, about what might or might not happen. They don’t do things for kudos or to impress others. They don’t attach value to how they look. They simply are and simply live.
Animals are who they are. They are genuine, not knowing how to be false. They are the spirit, the being, they have always been.
We all seek happiness but it can be elusive. Instead of always wanting more or better perhaps we should follow the example of our pet cat or dog and settle for contentment. To see contentment in action observe a resting cat or dog.
We too can just be, focusing on nothing but the present moment. If at times we feel life is difficult, unfair or unjust we can take a leaf out of the animals’ book and do as they do. Let worries and frustrations go. Then just be. Just chill, eat, sleep and play.
