The Canine's Guide to Nurturing Humanity #1000Speak

Dear friend, 
When I see you, I often worry. You are bigger, stronger, more intelligent & capable than me and yet at times, you seem like a man lost in the dark, seeking a candle light to guide you back. And I worry that none of your kind seem to find it in them to light that one candlelight for your sake. 

I don't know as much as you do obviously but there are a few slivers of wisdom that I have attained too along the way. A lot of it is stuff you know but have perhaps just forgotten. But that is the thing, you see. You don't forget to be kind and compassionate. On the other hand, you enforce it. You make it a part of your daily life. 
My role? I can only help you nurture it by my everyday deeds and pray that you will learn from me... I sincerely hope you do. Because you are truly capable of so much love and selflessness.

---

First of all, understand that you cannot do 

everything by yourself. Accept help 

from those who care about you.

Do not get disheartened when you see the heights
that others have attained. There will always be someone
bigger than you. Focus on your individual journey.

Often, the shackles that hold you back from 

achieving your goals are just within your mind.

Do not let go of your inner child. He will guide you back 

to happiness when you find yourself lost in the big bad world.

Be grateful.

Find time from work to cultivate a hobby
or vocation that appeals to you.

Do not give up on that hobby.
Pursue it with the passion it deserves.

Read something everyday. Expand your knowledge.

Do not discriminate blindly on the basis of colour

 or other divisions you have made. 

Being good or bad comes down to each individual. 

There are no natural enemies. Just the 

ones that we create with our insecurities.

Do not bite the hand that feeds you.
Both literally and metaphorically.

It is okay to want to be the center of attraction
every once in a while.

Explore every option that appeals to you before 

deciding on what you want in life.

Keep your elbows off the table while eating. It is called 

table manners and shows that you were not raised by animals.

It is okay to be jealous once in a while. 

It only shows that you are canine human. 

Do not compromise on quality. Always
aim for the best.

Curiosity  killed the cat. You and I are not cats.
Explore. Dream. Discover.

Learn to find beauty and happiness
in the simple things in life too.

In photos, always stand next to someone fatter.
It makes you look thinner.

It is okay to make your point heard as long as you do not hurt someone.

Always have a plan B. 

Take some time out to enjoy the environment around you.

Recycle. Until your villa in Mars is ready,
this is still your only habitable planet.

Eco-friendly aside, do add some greens to your diet. 

They  are good for digestion, apparently.

No work is so important that you lose out on your 

well-deserved 20 16 12 8 hours of sleep everyday.

The world is a wondrous place that extends beyond
the boundaries that you have tethered yourself to.

Break free and explore it.

Always look out for your friends. They are 

the family you chose to bring into your life.

Show the people who matter that you 
miss them when they are not around.

In life, there will be some struggles that will take you to the very edge.

If you truly believe in what you are fighting for, do not give in...

You will succeed eventually.

Above all else, know this: 
There is love all around you. Surround yourself with those who genuinely care for you. 
In the end, the love you give & receive in your life is the greatest measure of your success. 

You and I are a lot alike, in the end. 

We live beside each other and learn the same life lessons. It comes down to remembering what those lessons are, I guess. 
You bring out the best in me with your love. And I want to believe that I too am capable of doing the same for you when you are plagued by inner insecurities that I cannot see. Just as you have nurtured me to life, allow me to nurture you back to that phase in life where you have been happiest. 

I hope you can look beyond my fur and find it in you to hear my words. Perhaps, more importantly, I hope that you will find it in you to follow them.

Sincerely,
Your best friend.

Author's note: 

To quote Yvonne, "1000 Voices Speak For Compassion is a blogging initiative started in response to violence and alienation in our world. "

This month, #1000Speak focuses on Nurturing. A thousand bloggers across the planet write in on a topic that most of us have dealt with in the hope of inspiring you to have faith in the good that exists all around you.

You can see other brilliant blog posts on this topic here. 

You can also find #1000Speak on Facebook,Twitter, the blog or just by typing down the hashtag #1000Speak on social media.

I had written for #1000Speak earlier this year on:

1. Compassion 

2. Bullying

Dog lovers can find more posts featuring Snoopy and the rest of the gang here.