“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” — Corrie ten Boom Hello dear hearts, it's #ThrowbackThursday. I am Angel Puggie, and dis is da #PonderingPug. I remember years ago, when I was a cute little puppy, proudly prancing fru da neighborhood wif my beloved father. Da weather was beautiful, and I enjoyed da gift of being alive. Suddenly, Daddy shouted, “No! No! No!” My hair stood up, and I got into my battle stance! I saw nuffing but beautiful trees and a cloudy sky. “Daddy, what's wrong, dear heart?” “I remembered a mistake I made at work, and now I'm worried. I know I shouldn't worry, but da harder I try to stop, da worse it gets!” I spotted a park bench and asked Daddy to sit wif me. “Daddy, imagine your awareness is like da beautiful sky. Thoughts appear like clouds drifting overhead. Some are soft white clouds, representing happy or helpful thoughts, like ‘I love you, Mommy,’ or ‘I need to add cheese to Puggie's food.’ Oh, I particularly like dat last one! Other thoughts are dark storm clouds, filled wif worry about things dat haven't happened. But Daddy, have you noticed dat da sky doesn't wrestle wif da clouds? It doesn't chase dem away or become angry because a storm cloud appears. It simply allows dem to be. Even when dark clouds appear, da blue sky is still dere beyond dem. Your thoughts are like dose clouds, Daddy. Dey come and go, but dey are not who you are. When a troubling thought appears, don't fight it. Just notice it and gently return your attention to dis precious moment. Feel your feet touching da earth. Listen to da birds singing. Enjoy da gentle breeze. You don't have to chase da clouds away to enjoy da beauty of da sky. And you don't have to make every troubling thought disappear to experience peace.” From dat day forward, Daddy began recognizing when worry appeared. Instead of struggling wif his thoughts, he would gently return his attention to da present. Sometimes he focused on his breathing, other times on his feet touching da earth. Eventually, worry began losing its grip, although it still visits him occasionally. Dear hearts, I have one more thought to share. Many of us struggle wif worry, fear, and troubling thoughts. We are told not to worry, but when we do, we sometimes feel guilty or frustrated wif ourselves. Now we are worrying about worrying! Oh my goodness, dat's an awful lot of worrying! Please be gentle wif yourselves. Dere is nuffing wrong wif you because a troubling thought appears. You don't have to fight it, judge it, or feel guilty because it's dere. Remember our beautiful sky. Da sky doesn't become angry when storm clouds appear. It simply allows dem to pass. Notice your thoughts wif kindness. If something needs your attention, you can address it when da time comes. But you don't have to spend dis precious moment living inside a tomorrow dat hasn't arrived. Oh dear hearts, life is happening right here, right now! Da warmth of da sunshine, da rustling leaves, da laughter of someone you love, or perhaps a little puppy prancing beside you. Remember, peace doesn't mean all your troubling thoughts have disappeared. Sometimes peace begins when we stop fighting wif ourselves for having dem. Be gentle wif yourselves, dear hearts. You are not failing because you worry. You are simply learning to return to da wonderful gift of da present moment. I love you all. Sending you love and light! Love, Angel Puggie ❤️😇🐾 Dedicated to: #PuggieForever #TikiMyHeart #NinaAngel #AdorableAnna #KindHeartedCookie #BelovedPhoenix #LovelyLucy #LincolnOurLove #DogsOfX