mom… PLEASE
There are times in life we are bound to feel a little overwhelmed. It’s how we choose to cope with those moments that make the difference in how we will feel, and ultimately grow as humans. Three plus years ago, I made the impulsive decision to become a first-time dog owner. If you know me at all, this is not typical of my behavior. I am more of a planner than a fly by the seat of your pants kinda girl. What I did know was if I was going to have a dog, she needed to love swimming. HA! I say this looking back not knowing what I was up against. Meet my dog, and little miss independent herself, Miss Joy Rose.
Many of you know, I am an avid swimmer. I have loved being in the water since I was a little girl. Growing up, I took synchronized swimming and diving lessons. While I never competed, I always found the water to be fun and relaxing. As I grew older, battling issues like vertigo, and a herniated disc, made me love the water even more. The water provided me with healing and therapeutic effects, ultimately being the solution to many of the ailments I still manage to this day. So there is where my doggie dream started. Lisa and Joy sailing away on a paddle-board on Lake Erie.
As you can see from the shot above, we totally made it there… NOT! Let me tell you though, I am not a quitter and I had a goal. I wanted to teach this dog to love the water as much as I did. There were multiple attempts made, and some of you that follow me on Instagram may even remember the swimming videos. What you didn’t see was how much work it took to get her into the water. This 18lb girl would dig down her paws, and plant herself into a firm, “Ummm, Mom, I don’t think so” position.
It was time to change my approach. My thought was, if I was in the water with her, she would see it was not so scary. I also initiated toys and treats to help reward her positive behavior. Truth be told, I was making progress, and at one point I thought this might really happen. So, why are we not swimming?
CLICK TO SHOP
Before I go on, please know, Joy is NOT afraid of water. She delights in splashing through puddles, plays in the rain, and literally falls asleep when I bathe her. It’s large bodies of water that scare her.
While we were making progress in a small creek, I needed to up our “big girl in big body of water” game. Having never been on a kayak myself, I thought this idea was brilliant. We could have a family kayak day! In pursuit of our new goal, we rented a kayak, and off onto Lake Erie we went. Joy was supposed to enjoy her kayak “spot for dogs” but clung to my lap instead. She whined and pawed at me the ENTIRE time. In spite of all my comforting efforts, the poor thing remained fearful. I finally faced the reality that swimming and water sports are NOT Joy’s “thing”.
Sometimes our goals have to change and adapt to the circumstances at hand. Life itself, or even a pup, can show us the way forward.
At this time last year on a HOT August morning, Joy and I went to the Rocky River Reservation and climbed up the 155 steps of the Fort Hill Stairs. We walked, we skipped, we took photos, we felt alive. My little non-swimmer taught me to become a hiker.
I am proud to say we have hiked consistently for over a year. We have not let the cold, rain, snow, ice, heat, insects or gobs of mud stand in our way. Every hike has been unique with surprises along every trail. We’ve explored the changing seasons, reveled in wildflowers, observed critters with their babes, been serenaded by songbirds, and watched the morning sun-rays breaking through the fog. Who knew… It turns out, hiking is our happy place.
We even purchased a few hiking “must-haves” along the way. I could not live without my hiking hat, boots or backpack, so I am featuring them here. Joy especially loves it when I bring ice cookies (ice cubes), she rolls in them at the end of our hikes to cool off.
In the comments below tell me one goal you have. Add a backup goal for an extra “just in case” entry. Play I-spy within the blog and guess what I’m giving away this week. Winner will be contacted by email, Friday, August 9th by EOD. Giveaway ends August 9th at 1:00 pm EST.
PHOTOS: TIFFANY JOY PHOTOGRAPHY
First off – these pics are incredible! My goal will be to move every day. Some type of movement. If not full on exercising then even a walk after dinner. My back up goal would be to actually write down goals. I never do this (I know, I know!) they are always just rolling around in my head!
Stick to a fitness plan. I’ve started many but never fully finished one. I am determined to do so tho!
Ohhh this is a great goal, I love your determination! I write down each week what I want to accomplish for fitness, and at the end of the week I cross off what I have achieved! I know you got this girl. You are entered!
You are so sweet. Tiffany did an exceptional job on these photos! All credit goes to her talent. I love your goal, and I love your back up goal. I am a firm believer in writing things down. I have a daily list, when I see things crossed off my list, I feel accomplished. You are entered!
I love this post because I’m a first time dog mom too and had many goals/plans related to her and she does her own thing also! My goal was to work out 5 days a week (including weekends). But I keep beating myself up if I miss a day or something comes up. So recently adjusted my goal to 3-4 times a week. I take my Coco on walks daily but we aren’t one for nature quite like you & Joy. Ahahaha!
I love this comment so much because I can identify. I beat myself up if I miss a workout too. I love that you are listening to yourself, and adjusting your goal. GREAT job and very self aware. I love your little pup, and that we are sharing such similar paths! YOU ARE ENTERED!
Oooh, add’l goal, an eating plan I can stick to! I spy, a goals journal!!
Does that eating plan include ice cream? I SPY a smart girl! <3 Plus a double entry for a back up goal! Thank you for all your time and love.
When our heart is open, people, places and things begin to show up in miraculous ways to support our calling.
MY HEART IS OPEN. What a beautiful and true comment. You are very wise. Also, you are ENTERED!
My goal is to do ten min of floor Pilates each day. ♀️
Can I just say – GREAT GOAL! Love it so much! Pilates is so fun and helpful to me.
I am so glad you have Joy. They love you unconditionally ❤️
Road trip!!
Joy was the absolute best thing for you! She has her own agenda, but will make you smile with love and JOY every time! Unconditional love from a dog (or any animal) is like none other!
My goal (which is also the ispy…the “goals” journal ) is to find the positive in every negative. There’s always something, sometimes we have to really search, but it will eventually show up.
Another goal….stop “stress eating”’
Road trip… best ever! She is totally a girl with an agenda, lol. I love your goals, and I am trying to do BOTH of those too! PS: You are entered! Thank you so much for your time and love.
I’m so THANKFUL for your time and comment. She has taught me a ton! Which of course I am still learning. XO – PS: You are entered!
It’s funny how we can plan and want for something so badly but in reality it takes a turn that we didn’t plan for, but ends up being the best thing for us. With that being said, my goal is to embrace motherhood with an open mind and open heart. Even though I have “plans” for the type of mother I want to be, I know I need to be open to what ever curveball my daughter may throw at me, lol
Also, my other goal is to continue my workouts after giving birth, so I never lose my strength
Such a true comment. I am a planner, but yet I embrace the fun of whatever the day is going to bring. I love your goal, and I know you are going to be an outstanding mom. You already are! Xo! Thank you for your comment, love and time. PS – you are entered!
No doubt you girls never miss a week. Some days I think you are crazy but you keep at it. So glad you girls found your happy place. Love you both!
I know you are always telling us to sleep in, lol. We are a bit crazy… crazy for you… crazy for going in the -6º weather… HA… we’re crazy! Thank you for loving us unconditionally, putting up with the early alarm, and supporting our independence. You let me be me. You let Joy be her. That is a gift we appreciate DAILY. We love you too.
Soon to be first time HUMAN Mom and this post put it into perspective!
My goal is to be more present. To take it all in. To not be so set on things going the way I want them to and learn to embrace the beautiful chaos!
(and my little planner girl heart hopes it’s that sold out #goals planner that’s the prize this week! )
Girl you got this! I am loving this comment. Being present is so important, especially in this crazy life. Embrace the chaos, love that too… sounds like a good quote! You have a great eye for I-spy! You are entered! Thank you for your comment!
Love this post! Though I have fitness goals, those honestly aren’t my biggest challenge right now. My goal is to learn a new hobby so I can make more time for myself! As a young mom, it’s hard to find “me” time. I’m learning to watercolor with a goal of designing my own Christmas cards this year! Backup goal? At leas design some gift tags to be used at Christmas 🙂
I love this comment so much! Girl, you got this. Me time is SO IMPORTANT… and I would love, love to see that card. You are officially entered! Whoop, Whoop! Thanks for your comment!
You are amazing . Take the good with the bad. I know things don’t always go as planned. “She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way , she adjusted her sails” Elizabeth Edwards . Keep kicking ass Lisa .
This comment made my cry! Thank you so much for your sweet comment and support. It means the world to me! PS: You are entered!
Great post Lisa My goals have changed over the years. Now is a time to take better care of myself so: My goal is to walk every day with my fur baby Bella and my backup goal walk the halls at work to get me moving more each day.
I love this comment, it is so true goals do change. I am happy to hear you have embraced new one. I love them both! PS: You are entered!
Hello Lisa (and Joy)! My word this year is CREATE. And part of my goal with that is to create a more harmonious and creative living and workspace, so that I start and and each day feeling more authentic and fully “me” in my house (“real life”) and at my job!
I love this! I love your word, I love your goals. Feeling like the full you, everywhere you go by creating spaces that feel good. Girl do I support that. PS: You are entered!
Love these photos!! My goal is to figure out a fitness routine I can get into on the road. I used to do kickboxing 6 days a week and hot yoga 5 days a week. Need to find something I can do from anywhere that I will love just as much as I loved those things! Another goal I have this year is to read more! I spy a real cute journal in those photos! 😉
Ohhh this is a great goal, and a tricky one too. I often find it hard while traveling… since swimming is my go-to… and not everywhere has a pool. I have had to also dig into this goal. Let me know how you do girl. PS: You are entered!
Love this story of you and Joy discovering your mutual love of hiking, turning a disappointment into a positive. Happy trails to you!
My goal is to not be afraid to try new experiences that might fall outside my comfort zone. When we’re young, we’re fearless. As we get older, normal caution can turn into unreasonable fears if we let it. So, secondary goal is to be more aware of my thoughts and STOP when I start down the ‘worst case scenario’ thinking road. 🙂
I love this comment. I especially love your secondary goal… I need to do more of that thinking too! You are such a delight, and so appreciated! Thank you so much for all your help with literally everything. WE LOVE YOU.