My wife and I went for a walk yesterday afternoon. We try to go at least once a day. It was great to feel the warmth of the sun.
We came upon a woman with a dog talking to some other people, all keeping their proper social distance, of course. As we walked by, keeping our proper social distance, of course, we heard her say “He’s a hunting breed so he’s hyper-sensitive to everything happening outside. That’s why he gets overly excited when we go for a walk. He’s very calm in the house.” And that’s when it dawned on me – I am that dog.
I LOVE to be outdoors. I wake up in the morning excited to go outside for a walk or a run. Outdoor restaurants are my favourites. I prefer outdoor adventures when we travel. Two of my happy places are beaches and golf courses. The first thing I look at in a house is the view out the back. Something about being out in nature feels right to me.
But being outside doesn’t necessarily mean being out in nature. My state of excitement carries over whenever I leave my house. Sometimes to my detriment. Take Costco, for example. I can feel my body and mind changing as I drive towards the store. I’m excited because I like shopping there. But there’s a tinge of stress lurking behind the scenes. I’m competitive by nature and keenly aware of the challenges I’m about to face. Will I get a good parking space? Will the aisles be crowded? Will my items be in stock? Will there be long lines at the cash? All in the name of trying to get in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Things changed recently. When I went to Costco last week I had a new experience. I still tried to get in and out as quickly as possible because of coronavirus, but I felt different. I felt relaxed. I’m not pressed for time because the real estate market is almost at a standstill. The lockdown has introduced me to a slower pace of life. I’m able to pay more attention to what I’m doing without being distracted by the next task on my list. It’s very enjoyable.
A heightened sense of excitement is an asset. It helped our ancestors avoid dangerous situations and helps us do the same. But do I really need to be on red alert every time I leave my house? Probably not. Will I remember this when I leave my house after the lockdown? I hope so. Ideally I’ll pause when I feel my body and mind changing to consider whether to elicit my canine sense of excitement and competitive nature or my relaxed, flow state.
Every situation will be different. Take Costco again as an example. I can look at it as a challenge to be completed as quickly as possible. Or I can take my time and enjoy it more. There’s probably only a ten minute time difference between the two. So what’s better? For only ten minutes, I think I’ll stay relaxed and enjoy my Costco experience more. Life is short. Either way, don’t ever worry about me peeing on your lawn. I promise to never get that excited.
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