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Teach an old dog a new trick

By Jamie Gilroy

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

I know, I know, again with the disappearing act. My sincere apologies. I have no excuse except that the words and inspiration have their own timeframe. Anyway.

I’ve been thinking about the ability to change. To change when things just aren’t going well, or when aspects of our creation (see: Life) no longer feel good either physically, emotionally, or even socially (see: Globally).

How is it that we live our lives so smartly and assuredly and then reach a point when we look up from our day and say, “huh?” “Where did the time go?” Or as David Byrne sings, “how did I get here…?” Or “who am I?” Ok, deep questions for so early in the day but isn’t it just like that? How do we become the catalyst for our own evolution? Or in my case how do you teach an old dog a new trick?

Can’t be done you say? I beg to differ. This old dog awoke one day and saw for a brief moment that I had literally created all the circumstances in my life - including the ones that were at that time bringing me much suffering. In a flash that will always be remembered I looked at my hands and saw that they held the power to create. Create anything. Really? Yes absolutely.

Create a new life, a new relationship, a new business model, a new awareness, and a new sense of responsibility. And all stemming from the inside, on a cellular level. Not running off to the barber, or the Gap, or the gym, though those changes are fine if you want to. But more of: how do I want to feel each moment (good) and how do I achieve that immediately? How do I stop making decisions that adversely affect the quality of my life and make new ones that inspire me to feel harmonious and content?

Just a warning: old dogs can certainly put up a fight while learning new tricks. I think that’s normal. But if that old dog has the desire (THE DESIRE!) to learn a new trick then that’s 90% of the battle. In my case I peeled off any layer that felt constricting and uncomfortable. I tried to get down to what was real in me, to make friends with whatever happened in the past, and be present for whatever was happening in the moment. It was not an overnight transition but one that took nurturing and care.  One that took a little patience.

Teach the dog something new, and then give him a little reward - a biscuit maybe - to let him know he’s going in the right direction.

I recently read an interview with Jeff Swartz the CEO of Timberland (September issue of Fast Company magazine). What a fascinating guy. All about bringing social awareness to every aspect of his very large company. At the end of the interview he speaks about looking at the creative power in our own hands and the recognition that that power IS in our hands. I love that sense of responsibility now. That unlimited possibility in the openness of our very own hands.

An “old” friend who lives out west left me a VM late last night on my cell phone. I could hear the emotion in his voice as he spoke about some difficult changes going on in his life. As I listened to his message this morning the word opportunity kept popping up in my mind. I can’t wait to talk to him later today.

I love seeing an old graying dog learn a new trick or two.

Woof.

J

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