Monday, October 26, 2009

Taking A Step Back...

Now that I have not been working at my other job for several weeks and have gone full time teaching agility, it has made me realize I needed to step back and prioritize life.

My dogs are getting alot more work, both on stock and in agility :-)) I am again making time for myself :) And I am really enjoying my dogs again!

My husband is actually getting a LESSON several times a week! Ask him how many I have given to him before I quit my other job...maybe 30 minutes a MONTH...seriously. It is a lot of fun teaching him and working dogs with him has become something I look forward to :)

I have been really taking stock in people that are not positive in my life...and lessened my exposure to them :) Energy suckers I call them. People who expect you to fix their dogs habits, fix their life because of bad choices, raise their kids, clean their house and fix dinner...you all know those types :-)) The types that want SO much out of a friendship but do not want to give back. Those people will move onto someone else that they can fixate on who will fulfill their needs, because really, it isn't ME they want, it is a person whom they can use to make themselves feel good...but it doesn't have to be me :) I tend to be the person that wants to make everything better in others lives...while neglecting my own. Not anymore.

I have been taking long hikes with my dogs, enjoying every single, loud, muddy, crazy moment of them. I have dogs because I LOVE my dogs, and it is great to be able to watch puppies run and play..not having to worry as much about deadlines and stress. The girls are growing up so fast and to miss parts of their puppyhood is not something I wish to do.

Just having time to think and realize what is important. And to be able to discard what is not. Which can be a hard thing for me to do.

Taking a step back is not always a bad thing...sometimes one has to simplify their lives to realize exactly all the things that REALLY matter...

6 comments:

manymuddypaws said...

good for you! sometimes the best things we can do it take care of ourselves, and the ones we love (four legged and two legged)

Loretta Mueller said...

Very true Amanda :) And so far so good :)

Anonymous said...

I have two kids that I do agility with. We all started at the same time. They were only eight and 10 years old when we started. Now their 20 and almost 18 and we still have a lot of fun training together. It's something that I hope we can do for a long time. I'm glad you've discovered the joy of training with family too:)

Bonnie
http://sclmarm.livejournal.com

Loretta Mueller said...

Definetly Bonnie :) I am having a hard time getting myself to go to herding trials because the husband won't be with me! I enjoy having him around and he IS my best friend so we get along well :) Who else is going to put up with me!

D said...

Well said! I think everyone could use a bit of "housekeeping" in their life. Focus on what and who are important to you, and what makes you happy! Great advice!

BCxFour said...

wow, your description of an 'energy sucker' described my ex husband to a 'T'.

I have had time to sit back and take stock of my life since I have quit work too. You hit the nail on the head - that simplifying your life is the way to go. Well said!