She’s old, she’s a two-time cancer survivor, and she’s happy. Photo by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

See the happy dog?  I’ve known her for maybe ten of her nearly fifteen years.   She’s been diagnosed with and has triumphed over liver cancer twice.   She’s made it through surgery and chemo, and she takes daily medication to prevent a third bout.  She’s got the health problems old folks often get (mostly deaf, definitely arthritic, not as peppy as she used to be), but she’s still enjoying her life.

I am her occasional sitter when her human goes away.  I got to sit with her in late October.  Here’s what she looked like when I arrived at her home:

Photograph by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

And here’s what she was doing thirty minutes after I arrived:

Photograph by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

I was committed to helping her have fun.  I’d buried little bits of dog biscuits in my Laila’s old dog bed for her to find.  The idea was for her to associate the dog bed with something she loves (food, the more the better) and hopefully use it to protect her weary joints during her power naps.   

Here’s what happened with my genius idea:

Photograph by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

Notice that smirk?  We both knew she was going to do whatever the hell she wanted to do with the bed.  If she wants to feel she’s won, then let her feel that she’s won.  I’m fine with her laughing at me.  Laughing helps her immune system, and laughing helps my health.  It’s not about winning, it’s about a happy dog and a happy dog sitter.

Photograph by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

Does this look like a cancer dog?  Does this look like an old dog?  Does this look like an arthritic dog?  Does this look like a happy dog?

And what does all this have to do with the US election?

I remember the last time I’ve felt so much hostility.  It was right after 9/11.  I live in the New York metropolitan area.  One of my friends was the only survivor from his Twin Towers office.   Highways were eerily empty except for the brand new “God Bless America” signs flashing their message.  People watching the ever-present televisions were cheering the prospect of all out war while watching the news coverage on the major networks as they waited to pay for their groceries.  As an empath who hadn’t yet mastered the gift, I felt all of the anxiety, the fury, the desire for spilled blood, the grief, the shock.   It all felt overwhelming, and I didn’t know how to regain my balance.

And then, five days after the event, I drove past a miniature golf course.  It was filled, and there was a long line of golfers patiently waiting their turns.   I saw a similar scene at a nearby ice cream stand.

I was shocked to see this.  Weren’t they understanding what had happened?

In that moment, they were understanding the situation far better than me.  They understood the best thing they could do in that moment was to go back to enjoying their lives.  Having fun was the beginning of the healing process, and the decision to have fun took courage, commitment, and presence of mind.  Their decision was contagious in the best possible way.  Your energy right now can be contagious, too. 

I remember a time many years ago when a friend suddenly blew up at me.  The argument felt ridiculous, and I tried to understand why she’d went off on me for what seemed to be no good reason.  And then I understood.   She was living where a major hurricane was about to strike, and she was picking up on the energy of fear and imminent disaster.  Energy is contagious.

No matter what happens at the polls tomorrow, America is in need of healing.  I’m asking everyone reading this post, no matter where you live in the world, to take some time on 8 November to help us heal.  I’m not asking you to fiddle while Rome burns.  I’m asking you to contribute to the healing we sorely need.   Energy is contagious.  The more you focus on being happy, the more you can help all of us heal.  Kiss your beloved (or do more with your beloved), do something fun, compliment a stranger or two, call a friend to catch up, play with your dog or cat, watch a funny movie, take a dance class.  Find your own way to be happy to help all of us remember we don’t have to be angry or scared. 

How is being angry or scared going to help us?

I spent this afternoon laughing my butt off with old friends.  I met the first friend when I was in my twenties, I met the second friend when I was in my thirties.  One of them brought a book she’d made of nonsensical and slightly perverted horoscope predictions.  They were hysterical.  I’d be citing examples if I remembered them verbatim,  but I am currently replaying in my heart how it felt to be laughing until I cried with my cherished longtime friends.  I’m going to look for more ways to be happy tomorrow.  If I’m having trouble successfully completing this assignment, I may have to call my one friend to ask her to read me my horoscope again.

To wrap this up, I’m asking you to make the choice to go from this…..

Photograph by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

to this…..

She’s old, she’s a two-time cancer survivor, and she’s happy. Photo by Sheryl Hirsch-Kramer

Would a little help be welcome?  This is what I do.  I do it with dogs, and I do it with people.  I offer Love of Life packages to help you rediscover your joy in living.  I conduct Book of Life sessions to help you release faulty thoughts that keep you from being fully engaged in your life.  And I sell Bracelets From Heart to remind you to keep focusing on love.

Don’t worry, be happy.  Or woof.  I’m bilingual.

I’m here for you.  Just fill out the contact form on www.TransformingThroughLove.com and let’s go.

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