MY GUIDES FOR 2025

I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, probably because historically I’ve found it difficult to be consistent for any length of time. But maybe that’s not the point. Maybe, just maybe, the goal isn’t perfection. What if, instead, the goal is to show up and do our best? There are those I know who do this really well.

Our farm dogs Samson and Darcy and home dogs Winnie and Dewey exhibit many worthwhile behaviors daily. I’ve decided this year to lean into their example. Who knows, maybe the practices that make them better dogs will make me a better human. 

Work hard. Samson and Darcy know their roles on our farm. Their responsibility is to protect all who live on the property. This includes livestock and humans. Those who glamp in one of the tents are also covered under the protection of the two Great Pyrenees. Watching the way they each take on a portion of the overall job is inspiring. One doesn’t do it all. They split responsibilities intuitively,

Play with abandon. Winnie, our Boxer mix, is great at this. She runs circles around her older brother Dewey. She is the epitome of happiness and I think it’s because she knows how to play. Winnie isn’t worried about others thinking she’s silly. It’s like she knows that life is short and she doesn’t want anything left on the table. For me, playing with abandon is creating with other creatives. In 2025 I want to start some new projects and continue others I’ve already begun. 

Rest as needed - Dogs are amazing at this. They can literally sleep most of the day. My husband used to say they’re storing up energy, getting ready for when they’ll need to go into action. I’m TERRIBLE at this. It’s probably why I was sick for the week between Christmas and New Years. This year, I’m going to do my best to follow the lead of my dogs.  

Stretch regularly.  While I make a point of stretching most every morning, our dogs do it every time they change positions - countless times throughout the day. Not a bad idea!

Seek the light. One of my favorite things to do is watch Winnie and Dewey find a patch of sunlight on the floor. They’ll lie down - sometimes with one of them having their head on the other one - in the brightest, warmest spot in the room. Every dog I’ve ever known has loved lying in the sunlight. I want to be drawn to the light, bright places (and people), just like my dogs. 

Be spontaneous. There’s one thing about our dogs: they’re up for pretty much anything. They don’t require a plan for the day. I’m a sucker for a schedule and often miss out on fun because I’m stuck in my routine.  

Be curious. Listen, sniff things out and investigate. The dogs don’t have to be trained to do this. They’re naturals in using their senses to learn more about the world around them. God gave me the same abilities. Maybe my senses haven’t evolved as much as those of my dogs, but I can at least make it a priority to use them. 

I’m sure there are many more examples of canine behavior I could emulate in 2025, but I don’t want to get overwhelmed. I’ll just keep watching my mentors, trying my best every day to be the human I was created to be.

This piece first appeared in Sherry’s column, Finding Myself in a Small Town, in the January 4, 2025 edition of the Corsicana Daily Sun.