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Welcome
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It is mid-summer and I am imagining all of you out of doors. I find there
simply aren’t enough hours in the day for me to be outside soaking
up the sunshine, savoring warm breezes and embracing the high energy of
summertime fun.
Summer at our house started on a sad note, however. In late June we lost
our beloved eleven and a half year old golden retriever, Rainbow. She had
a happy, healthy and, fun-filled life, but as any true dog lover knows, that
is small comfort.
Rainbow brought more love and joy into our lives than either my husband or
I could have imagined on that wonderful Christmas Day when the kids told
us we would be parents once again. She was the best gift either of us will
ever receive.
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A
Dog's Life |
 “I
think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures
we might be if we weren't certain we knew better.” -
George Bird Evans
In the days and weeks since Rainbow left us we have talked a great deal
about what we learned from her. Rainbow was one of God’s creatures,
just a dog who passed through our lives, but she provided an extraordinary
glimpse into pure and unconditional love, and thus she became a spiritual
gift.
Rainbow’s Rules for a Happy Living
- Expect the best of everyone. Rainbow never met a person
(or another creature) she didn’t expect to befriend. She wasn’t
burdened with human prejudice or defenses. As a result, people all over
town knew and loved her. What we humans could learn about dropping our
defenses and being open to the people who cross our paths.
- Be loyal in friendship. Occasionally we disappointed
Rainbow, when her evening popcorn was 30 minutes late say, or when she
didn’t get to roll on a dead fish after swimming. At those times
she quickly forgot her disappointment and loved us just the same. She
was totally lacking in human annoyance and hard feelings. We humans would
do well to forget about others’ wrongdoings and drop grievances
as a waste of time.
- Be joyful. Rainbow had a bushy, golden tail that swung
like a pendulum most waking hours and often beat the floor when she slept.
She saw possibility in everyone and everything except thunder and fireworks.
She was always up for a good time, whether on a walk in the woods, at
the dump, or at the Dunkin Donuts take-out window – especially there!
Now and then, while ambling along, a happy thought would cause her to
smile and skip off to pounce on a toy or a special stick. Rainbow’s
cup wasn’t half full; it was filled to overflowing. Oh what we humans
could learn about making joy our “default” setting.
- Love with no expectation of return. I’m quite
sure Rainbow had no ulterior motives when she greeted people with love.
(OK, there was the time she befriended the FedEx driver and ate her salad
for lunch and the time she almost rode off with the UPS driver when she
climbed aboard to look for his lunch.) But to my point, Rainbow loved
the FedEx girl and the UPS guy just as much when she didn’t eat
their lunches. She loved the vet and the groomer who nicked her now and
then. She loved everyone, and never once sulked when someone didn’t
love her back. She lived in a world of love, and because she did there
was always plenty to go around. What we humans could learn from Rainbow
about uncoupling love from expectation.
- Enjoy simple pleasures. Whether chasing a squirrel,
eating horseshoe crab shells, dozing in the sun or chasing Brandy, our
neighbors’ dog, off the property, Rainbow relished simple, everyday
pleasures. She loved to cuddle with her dad while snoozing and watching
TV. She lived in the moment, because that was all she could imagine – except
for those nights when it might be thundering in Worcester or some other
far-off place. Then she worried a lot! Think how much more we humans would
enjoy life if we stopped regretting the past and sweating the future.
Oh what we humans could learn from Rainbow about back-scratching on a
warm patch of grass or watching gulls glide on the wind.
- Look on the bright side. People who haven’t
loved a dog may not understand this, but Rainbow had a sense of humor.
She was a tease. She laughed a lot, and she made us laugh with her. For
example when 5 o’clock came she could be counted on to walk into
one of our offices and knock our hands off the keyboard with her muzzle.
If we didn’t respond immediately, she would curl her lips into a
big grin and do it again and again until we’d stop work and get
her dinner. What we humans could learn about viewing life as a walk in
the sunshine instead of the rain.
It is true that Rainbow didn’t have to worry about paying a mortgage
or raising children or finding a good job. I believe that her job was to
show us how to live with love and laughter. If that is so, then all I can
say is that she achieved her purpose on earth. I like to think she is somewhere
even now, making people laugh and skipping over the rainbows.
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| Attract What
Is Good Into Your Life - Autumn Workshops |
 Back
by popular demand, the Attract What Is Good In 2006 Workshop is continuing
on September 19th at Holy Family Church in Duxbury. This
is a wonderful opportunity to get back into the swing after the summer
holidays and to round out 2006 with vigor. You’ll learn to pinpoint
what holds you back, including unhealthy habits and relationships, and
you’ll learn how to live more authentically. You’ll also come
to recognize your own potential and receive feedback and tools to keep
you on track. This workshop is geared to the needs of its members. Contact
me jcollins@joancollinscoach for
more details and download
this course description. (Course description)
Attract What Is Good Into Your Life – Autumn Workshop
Due to immense popularity in the Easton and Stoughton areas, this workshop
will also be offered this autumn at Striar Jewish Community Center
in Stoughton, MA on five Monday evenings, beginning October 16th. (See
the description above and also view the Course
description for more information.) Note: the workshop is limited
to 15 participants, and preference will be given to Striar members. For
more information, call Joan Brown at 781-341-2016 ext. 271
or email jbrown@jccgb.org.
Unfortunately Stonehill College has reorganized their Continuing Education
Department and will no longer be offering evening courses. Please consider
attending one of the two workshops mentioned above if you were planning
on attending the Stonehill workshop.
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Private
Group Workshops |
Private Groups
If you know of six to ten people who are interested in forming
an Attract What Is Good group, please contact
me. I’ll be happy to meet with you for an informational session.
Does Your Group Need a Speaker?
Perhaps a group you belong to such as Newcomers or American Association
of University Women or a networking, civic or church group needs speakers
for next season. I’ve enjoyed speaking to enthusiastic and ever-growing
audiences. Why not tell the person who is in charge of programs to
contact me about your upcoming events?
Individual Clients:
Could you use some contentment in your life? Do you find your glass is half
empty more than half full? I can help you get back on track. Call or email
me to arrange for a sample session. Call 781-934-6804 or email jcollins@joancollinscoach.com. To
understand more about the coaching process or the services I offer visit
my web site www.joancollinscoach.com.
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