There’s a lot that can be learned from the wanting gaze of my dog, Saint Charles. The simple crackles of paper can cause a flood of reactions. Curiousity encourages him to spring into action. Determined, he hurriedly dashes to the source. Typically, it’s me in he kitchen involved in various tasks. To him it is an opportunity and he wastes no time in attempting to seize the moment. He looks up, locking his eyes with mine. With his tail wagging feverishly he waits with anticipation. He doesn’t know what he’s waiting for, but he is assured that it will be something good and worth his efforts. The lesson derived from sweet Saint Charles is the idea of living with expectancy. When we face the day with expectations of greatness, grand results are sure to follow. 

I am a firm believer that our thoughts shape our realities. Life, for me, is all about perspective. When I was first diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, I had to make a decision on how I was going to move forward; how we were all going to move forward with this new reality. It was then that I decided to live intentionally. Living intentionally meant that I needed wake up singularly focused on making that day the best I could. Living with Chiari had forced me live with expectations. The physical pain was present. A persistent fear of the unknown present. Despite all, I needed to live with a firm belief that all would be well and the expectation would follow suit. 

I cannot express to you how vastly my world would open up. The simple act of expectant living gifted a pandora’s box of treasures in the sense of means and wellness. The positive energy expelled would call into my life all that I needed to make that moment rich. Expectancy led to actions. Actions led to efforts. Efforts would eventually led to results that were often more than I could have ever asked for. In the months after my initial diagnosis, I would go on to do everything I was told I shouldn’t/couldn’t. I’ve run multiple 10K races despite being told I couldn’t. I am arguably in the best shape of my life from consistent diet and exercising, despite being told I shouldn’t lift anything over five pounds. Although I couldn’t control my condition, I lived with the expectancy it would not deter me from being my best self. It has, in fact, made me better. 

My faith leads and informs me in all that I do. It is this unwavering faith that allows me the clarity to face each day with an expectation that goodness will be granted to me throughout the day. It is this security that allows me to live with expectancy. This is not to suggest that I am living an existence that is void of imperfections and loss. It also isn’t to suggest that I get any and all that I wish, hope and dream. It is promising a light in every day that you are granted here. An opportunity to align good intentions with even better energy in an effort to attract what you most desire.  

It is without fail that Saint Charles faces the day with this attitude. He is joyful and often attracts the treats he has summoned. If it is that easy for him, then what’s holding us back? Change your thoughts and change your life. Live each moment with the full belief that you are on the cusp of a miracle and watch what comes to you. Be well.