The Sweet Spot

Nap Time...I'm turning 41 in about a week and as I grow older I've gained a new appreciation for the art of napping. Dogs make it look effortless.

It's as simple as hopping up on the favorite piece of furniture, plopping down and wriggling around a bit 'til you find the sweet spot. It's all downhill from there.

As for people-napping, all I have to say is that nap time is wasted on the young; what interest does a pre-schooler have in taking a nap in a room with 20 other 4-year olds? None.

Meanwhile, all of us who rise at six a.m. and settle in for the night at eleven and who are most in need of added sleep have no opportunity. Or at the very least, only what we can steal for 10 minutes during the long day.

It's simply not fair.

In his fond tribute to the world's worst dog, John Grogan insists there are many things we can learn from our dogs:

I have this theory, and writing the book sharpened it, that people can learn a lot from their dogs. Lessons on how to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Lessons for successful relationships. Think about it. Many of the qualities that come so effortlessly to dogs-- loyalty, devotion, selflessness, unflagging optimism, unqualified love--can be elusive to humans.

It is the little things that shape our lives, every day. There are large, important moments scattered throughout life--weddings, births, successes and failures at work but much of every day is mundane and routine and frankly, not very exciting at all.

When I watch my dogs for any extended length of time, I notice that they understand how life inside of 4 walls and behind a fence is enough. I realize that simple bits of fun scattered throughout a day are enough to satisfy; how rewarding it is just being.

It's as simple as hopping up on the favorite piece of furniture, plopping down and wriggling around a bit 'til you find the sweet spot.