Brownie's Way: A Dog’s Guide to Finding Fullness of Life
I met Brownie last month and it did not take me long to realize there was a profound lesson to be learned by watching how he lived his simple Pura Vida life. Brownie is the resident dog at the boutique hotel Banana Azul tucked oceanfront on the Caribbean coastal beach of Playa Negra in Costa Rica. A magically serene place to visit and even more sublime place to live a dog’s life. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/my-drive
I was immediately intrigued by Brownie simply because his presence at Banana Azul is undenied. Known by all the staff and quickly adopted by the customers, Brownie saunters through the open-air space as if he is more than comfortable and familiar. It’s immediately obvious this is his home and that he is confident he owns the place. And he sort of does. His actual home is with the hotel owners directly across the street from the entrance to the hotel and each day like clockwork he makes the rounds through the hotel property exhibiting peace, calm, joy we all long for but hardly find. As I watch him meander with intention, I realize this dogs life can and does teach all of us a thing or two about how to truly “Live and Move and have our Being.”
I first meet Brownie in the restaurant. He’s charming really, a passive presence that calmly checks in on guests as they eat their lunch and order their drinks. He’s friendly but not pushy, looking for a snack but aware he needs to show his manners too. The restaurant team knows him well and seems to carry on about their day aware but unbothered by his presence. They say hello, scoot around him, give him a loving pat and move on to tend to their customers.
It's the way that Brownie moves, with grace and confidence that is striking. No fear, no intimidation, accepting all and letting each person he encounters be in his space without judgement. “You like me, OK I will hang out with you a bit. You’re not too interested in sharing space with a dog? OK, I will move on.”
Brownies day seems to have a rhythm, but he is also open to explore his options. After his time wandering the reception and restaurant area, I watch Brownie take himself down the walkway 40 yards to the beach. Yup, beach time for this solo explorer. He saunters down the walkway, not a care in the world. Not fast or slow but with a plan. Aware he needs to share space with guests but also clearly understanding that this is HIS place.
His beach time is leisurely, unhurried, and thoughtful. Visiting guests and his favorite bushes he makes the rounds. Suddenly, Brownie seems to see some friends and picks up the pace. It’s playtime and they say hello and wrestle a bit before all at once my overheated friend changes his direction and decides to give himself a swim. He rolls on the beach and takes on the surf as he enjoys a respite from the hot Caribbean sun.
Unaware and unbeknownst to Brownie other beach goers are soaking in the rays and enjoying time with family. Watching Brownie swim brings me joy, he’s beautifully in the moment enjoying the flow of his life. Literally demonstrating for anyone who watches him what it means to celebrate the perfect “now” moment. The past is the past, the future is yet to come and right now there is just the ocean, the sun, the fun of the beach and the joy of being a dog in this beach resort kingdom.
After the beach it is snack time, and the restaurant is his go to place. Making the rounds again even seeming to know the best spot to camp out for a bit so the kitchen team will slide him a treat.
As I marvel at Brownies life, I observe how much he is actually teaching and showing all of us through his daily flow and gift of calm. I reflect on how many people are caught in the treadmill of culture and societal demands and miss the chance to live a life that Brownie is so confidently navigating. Even beach goers busy on their phones and laptops miss the message that is being demonstrated as Brownie explores and enjoys his world. You have one life, you have this moment, when you drive non-stop and strive to accumulate more things you simply miss the gift that is to live and move and have your being.
At the tail end of the day, I encounter Brownie again in the open-air reception area. Walking himself out the front gate he carefully crosses the road as if he has a new destination in mind. I inquire with the reception team worrying he might get hit by a passing car and they assure me it is proper dinner time for Brownie, and he heads home promptly each day to greet his owners take rest and nestle in for the night. Following his intuitive clock, knowing where a good meal and true love await, he returns home to connect with his family.
I pondered all the lessons he was teaching through the week and wondered if it was possible for humans to ever slow down and truly live and enjoy all the beauty humanity and nature have to offer. I try, but if you’re like me, I get swept into life and work and forget to that to love and appreciate life is the greatest gift, the greatest form of worship we can offer. That just being there for each other and listening, truly listening to a friend is more valuable that answering e-mail or searching social media.
I’ll return to visit Brownie in 2024 and maybe you can join me. Awaken Your Soul retreats, the transformation retreat business I run will host four weeklong self transformation journeys next year. Over the course of the weeklong experience, we unpack our busy mind and calm our nervous systems way down, we stimulate our hearts and cultivate deep appreciation and over the course of the journey we “awaken” our soul and begin to see that there is a way to live and align with our calling. Of course, there is nourishingly fresh food and jungle adventure, but we also learn to rest, reflect, and discover something deep inside. Our soul!
Interested in joining me in 2024, you can email me directly at info@awakenursoul.net or explore us online at www.awakenursoul.net.
