In futile pursuit of squirrels

Nowadays, my dogs can’t wait to get outside for a walk.  I realize that for them it is less about doing their “thing” and more about sighting and chasing the numerous squirrels that inhabit our complex.  As the doggies set out on their squirrel-hunt, mama Cloud in the lead, you can see the anticipation in their faces and their perked up ears.  They sniff everything, hunting for squirrel scent, and every movement is noticed.  Then, the moment that makes their day – a SQUIRREL!  They dash off, 3 small Shih Tzu/poodles weighing a total of 50lbs, with the strength of 3 horses, dragging me behind as they head for the squirrel.  Of course, by the time they get there, the squirrel has long skittled up the nearest tree or wall.  Then, it’s a grand yapping and leaping as they try to catch the squirrel now perched on high.  I drag them away, and they start the process all over again.

The dogs will never catch a squirrel.  Squirrels are too quick and are able to climb, something that dogs cannot do.   Further, even if they did (and if I allow them to) – what would they do with it?  They wouldn’t eat it, so there is no nutritive value.  They would simply sniff it and walk away – mission accomplished = squirrel caught, on to the next one.

As I watch them perform this act over and over, I muse at how many times I have engaged in the futile pursuit of something (or someone – lol).  At these times, all my energy and focus is on getting the thing.   Nothing else matters.  I know that I can’t have it – indeed, there is this niggling thought that I don’t even want it!  Yet have it I must.

Why do we engage in pursuits that are futile?  Many times to salve our egos, to prove a point, to get a payback for some wrong.   Sometimes it’s simply because we are not opening to a grander view of ourselves; we box ourselves into thinking that this is the best we can do, so we must have it.  At others, it’s about our self-esteem and happiness – we will be happy if only we have this or that.   We define ourselves by that thing or person and therefore become attached and one with it.  So, we MUST have it – otherwise who are we?  If we see ourselves as that thing we are pursuing, and we don’t get it, then we feel that we are worthless.

All of these motivations come from something other than love.   They come from fear.   When we come from a place of love, we will know when our pursuits are futile.  Indeed, there will be no need to pursue, for love will bring our good to us like magic.  Love can only attract love.

If you find yourself pursuing something or someone, check in on your feelings.  Do you feel good?  Ask yourself – “If I don’t get it, how will I feel”?  Do you feel that you MUST have it?  Are you spending an inordinate amount of time and energy on the pursuit?   These are all signs of attachment and the futility of pursuit.  Let go of the idea of having the thing.  You will be surprised at what opens up for you!

The good thing about being a dog is that there is no ego.  So, the squirrel chase is done in the moment.  There is no futility in their pursuit – they are simply having fun in the moment.  That moment done?  On to the next one – there are more squirrels around, or people to sniff, or a warm bed to go home to.