I have a friend who has a guide dog, and he signs off his emails by writing, “Forward, Forever Forward.”

What a great philosophy!

As a guide dog user, I give the command “Forward” to my dog from a standing still position. We could be coming out of our front door and/or crossing a street. Either way, I expect my dog to be facing in the direction I want him/her to go, I expect my dog’s eyes and head to be pointed straight ahead, and I expect my dog to follow my command and lead me where I wish to go.

Shouldn’t we follow our dog’s example?
Shouldn’t we move forward when we are stuck in life and standing still?
Shouldn’t we be willing to go through our open doors and walk forward in the right direction?
Shouldn’t we stop, look, and listen before facing and crossing life’s challenging streets?
Shouldn’t we expect our own vision and purpose to be pointed straight ahead? 

Absolutely! However, sometimes life gives us challenges and we have to change direction on a dime. 

With a dog, I encountered this change when I discovered a sawhorse in the middle of the sidewalk. I presumed that my journey today would look the same as it did yesterday. However, without warning, we (me and the dog) had to adapt, turn around, and find another way.

I don’t know about you; however, when I’m in the middle of a decision, sometimes it’s hard to be still and wait for my heart to guide me forward. I want my head to decide, yet, I’ve learned that when my ego makes my decisions, then, I usually fall into a manhole. 

This week was one of those street crossings. I had to decide between getting a new Seeing Eye dog or giving a TEDx speech. I couldn’t do both due to scheduling. If I chose the TEDx speech, then, I’d have to wait for another match which could take months, and if I chose the dog, then, I’d miss out on a pretty cool speaking opportunity. From what I know about both organizations, there will always be Seeing Eye dogs and there will always be TEDx talks. What to do? 

Follow my heart, that’s always the guide and my answer. I literally sat at my desk after reading the email from the Seeing Eye, put my hands in my lap, (didn’t have to close my eyes), and breathed in a few deep breaths inhaling while counting to three and exhaling counting to six; three times. Then, out loud, I asked, do you want to wait for another dog? 

“No” came the answer. If I didn’t count Maggie, it’s been well over two years since Sarge went off to be a police dog. I’m healthy now and though I don’t want to train in the snow, I want a guide dog again.

I realized, that even though I feel like I’m tracing my steps back, like turning away from that sawhorse, I’m really moving forward.

What about you? Are you going forward, forever forward in your life?

I challenge you to take the plunge and to follow your heart. None of us has a crystal ball and none of us knows what the future will bring. We have to do what is best for us to do today and trust that all is in divine order and tomorrow will take care of itself. If you’re wavering on what to do and how to move forward, pause, breathe, and ask for direction. In this way, you’ll come to know your answer and you’ll continue to live that unstoppable, unforgettable, and unbelievable life.