Live a Life With Meaning

This week my momma took me to spend time with a nice gentleman who would soon be passing from this world.  He was not upset, more so he was engaged and interested in making decisions that ultimately would affect his life.  I spent four days with Anthony, a gentleman of 87 years of age.  Anthony was the last living sibling of his family, and he had no children or significant other, so he was singular as he passed from this world...yet he was not alone.

On the first day as I sat with Anthony, he called me "dog." He said, "Hi, dog" and asked "are you hungry, dog" as he offered me pieces of his morning breakfast, a sweet smelling banana.  Anthony told me his plans to withdraw his medication and explained that he was well aware of the impact of his decision.  He said, "Dog, I've seen a lot and I've lived my mission in this life, so it is time to go on to the next."

Over the series of 4 days, Anthony stopped calling me "dog" and started calling me "Mattie."

On the last day I spent with Anthony he said, "Mattie, you have to have a mission in life.  You just can't go willy-nilly through this life," and then he went on to tell me very personal stories of his many adventures.  The telling of his life was hard for Anthony, each breath a little more labored than the last.  But I learned that Anthony had seen wars, visited far off lands, married out of love, raised children, and suffered great loss.  Yet through all of the ups and downs, and from what he told me he had experienced great downs, Anthony was a man who knew how to smile and laugh with life.  I spent the last days of Anthony's life with him, listening to his stories, feeling his warm embrace, licking his hand and gently cuddling him when he would signal me to come to his side.

On Saturday, I received a little card in the mail.  The card was from Anthony and it said, "Mattie, you know your mission in life, and for this I am grateful.  Your friend, Anthony."  My friend Anthony lived his mission, and was pleased.  I am living my mission and hope to spread peace.  I encourage you to understand your mission and live it to its fullest... with joy, with love and with meaning.

Much love, Mattiedog

Listen to Mattiedog's February 28, 2010 Podcast

Say "La Woof" For Me

Momma and dadz want to move to France when they get older.  Can you blame them really, it's France.  My parents think about life in terms of living gloriously, living a life full of "being in the moment."  Imagining all that the world endeavors to fulfill for us, I do offer this thought: when you think "this" and or "that" can make you happy or will complete you, then you might want to rethink your thoughts for the day... like thinking about moving to France.

"Someone" can't make you whole, "it" can't make you whole, and far from the notorious "that" can make you whole.  Heavens, we can't even begin to address "that," "if I only had that....."  I find that being honest with yourself, being transparent with others, being thoughtful in our approaches, these things will help us on our journey of life. We should try very hard to be aware of all that we think, see, do, and determine what is "real", throughout our journey of life.

This gets back to being in the moment.  You cannot be in the moment when you are concerned with the abstract talk going on in our minds, practice this when you are talking with someone: let go of your desire to influence the outcome, just listen.  Letting go, being in the moment, being free of all the ego... it's living in the moment.  Thank you for taking up the mission of being free, of being ourselves in the moment.  I feel blessed for having this moment with you.  It is special.

Momma thought this over while she was petting me... and she said, "Mattiedog, if we don't move to France, that will be fine, I have you and that's all I need. We'll just bring a little bit of France in to our everyday life!" Then she said, "say 'la woof' to me!"  I feel special in the love momma and I have together!

Love always, Mattiedog

Listen to Mattiedogs February 22, 2010 Podcast

When I See You, I See Love

When I look at my momma and dadz I see love.  Their love emanates from their eyes and they demonstrate their love for me in the smallest of actions... like when we are out on a long walk and momma gives me water from her water bottle.  They walk me in the mornings and evenings, give me treats, take me here and there, feed me, and dress me in various colorful pajama outfits and tuck me safely in to bed.  But just as important as the things they do for me are the things they feel for me.  Their souls hold me tight in their love, they are always kind, giving, and gentle with me.

Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. 

Reading these words got me thinking about how we treat each other.  On this day of love, Valentines Day,  we should take time to review our behavior, our interactions, to ensure that they, and we, reflect true love.  Are we kind? Are we patient? And, if after our assessment, we find we could improve, as I'm sure we all could, than lets vow to practice the actions that demonstrate love.

Simple little things that will make the world we share a better place: hold open the door for someone entering a building, wish a total stranger "good morning," smile at someone for no reason what so ever.  These little things add up, and the power in these acts will show through in how you begin to feel inside; and then, how you start to see the world...and magically, they will come back to you.  It is the circle of kindness, of love.

Every act you undertake contributes to the world's synergy, make positive contributions and help keep the world in balance.

Happy Valentines Day  - Mattiedog

Listen to Mattiedog's February 14, 2010 Podcast

I'd Like to Thank the Academy

I got Honest Scrap'd from @blindmaximus, @brutusthedane, @dogstoyevsky and @cokiethecat, and all of this Scrap makes me feel, well, pretty darned Scrap-a-Licious!  Whomever receives the Honest Scrap award must reveal 10 things about themselves and then pass the award on to 10 other deserving individuals.  So, here we go:

1. I really have no idea what my given name is, it could be Dog for all I know... I wandered the streets for a while before momma and dadz rescued me. 
2. I love to sit, for hours at a time, in the big bay window of our house and watch people, dogs, kitties, raccoons, squirrels, etc. come and go.
3. I rarely ever bark, matter-of-fact, I really only bark when I'm extremely excited....or when playing with dadz.
4. Snow is the most delicious treat in the world! I eat it any chance I can get.
5. I find frozen carrots to be nearly as tasty as snow.
6. My momma dresses me in warm outfits every day because I am always cold.
7.  I've traveled through nearly 75% of the United States, and have visited Canada, Mexico, Italy, Germany and France.
8. My nicknames include Mattiepants, Matilda, MattersonPatterson, Bubby, Nunkie and CrazyToes.
9. I know when momma is boiling spaghetti, and I come running to partake.
10. I hate getting my toenails trimmed and will squeal when the clippers are within 6" from my toes (CrazyToes to be exact).

Well, that's all the Mattie news for the day, now on to naming the worthy 10 to whom I would like to pass along this award... and they are, in no particular order:

@Trailerparkdogs These two doggies make me laugh when I need a good chuckle and pick me up when I have a down day.
@Foreverginger  Her kind heart and generous soul uplift my spirit and bring joy to my heart.
@Understandblue Her smiling face and her ability to see joy in every day occurrences brightens my life.
@jinjindoggy Because a more glorious woman can not be found. She laughs when I flirt and loves my jokes.  She completes me.
@hankthedoggy My "Mabel" brings a shine to my step and infuses laughter in to every day.
@lorenzagarza A glittering and glowing, beautiful light that makes me happy just to know her.
@butterssquirrel Whose crazy, yet thoughtful ways bring me joy and glorious laughter. Bad Squirrely!
@sidthecatahoula For demonstrating caring in everything that you do.
@bigboybosco Whose kindness and free spirit makes me happy every time I see his face.
@bunnyjeancook For being wonderful, generous, giving and caring in every Tweet.

That is it for now, and I'd like to thank @brutusthedane, @blindmaximus, @dogstoyevsky and @cokiethecat for sharing this award with me.  You all are such wonderful creatures and I am honored to call you my friends.