Saturday, December 22, 2012

On Canines and Comfort


December 22, 2012


 Dear Friends,

In the aftermath of the horrific shooting rampage in Newtown, Connecticut, many individuals and groups have offered solace to the residents of that community in a variety of wonderful ways.  One such group from Chicago brought ten specially trained Golden Retrievers to town.  This group believes that these therapy dogs can offer real comfort to the emotionally distressed through their unconditional love. And that does seem to be the case. When introduced to someone who is suffering, it doesn’t take long for one of these cuddly creatures to elicit a smile from that person.  And that’s a welcome relief in the midst of so much pain.

I bring this up, because this scenario is a great example of what I often mention in my books, talks, and posts: Happiness comes from within.  It’s true that these comforting canines are somewhat responsible for replacing pain with pleasure—if only for a moment.  Those who receive this blessing feel genuinely loved by the dogs.  And no doubt about it, being loved feels terrific.  But I believe the real truth of the matter is this: The authentic source of the good feelings in this instance is the love that is being extended to the dogs by those who are petting them, holding them, and hugging them. 

Within each of us—no matter how much we may be suffering—is that joyful essence of love we call our Spirit, our Soul, or our True Self.  In times of distress we often lose conscious contact with that divinely loving essence.  And in times of great distress, we may need outside help to regain that connection.  These “comfort canines”—as they are called—provide that help.  They put something before us that is so incredibly easy to love, we are able to do so even in the in the midst of a great tragedy.  And nothing feels better than loving.  Nothing feels better than being true to who we are at the core of our being, which is Divine Love itself.

Here’s to being loved, my friends.  But even more importantly, here’s to loving.  Here’s to reconnecting to the Divine Spirit of Love that resides within each and every one of us . . . and extending it.

With gratitude to the Chicago church group that helped the people of Newtown feel love again.

Steven

© 2012 by Steven Lane Taylor
Steven Lane Taylor, LLC

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