“You must meet outer inner world with your inner world or existence will crush you.” – Mark Nepo
I don’t usually think of golden retrievers as dogs who need ego boosts. But there is a man on our morning walks that gives Cooper so many compliments that he seems to carry himself with a little more panache after our encounters.
We only see this man about once a week because the timing has to be just right. I don’t know his name but I know his dog’s name.
What strikes me about this man is how easily he shares. In a way that isn’t self-absorbed, he’ll tell me of a dog that he’s mourning. Or his first grandchild that was just born. Or if his wife is recovering from a stomach bug. He seems to have a natural energy that just shines on others.
And it has me thinking that maybe it’s because his inner world matches his outer world. He has the gift of being able to sum up in a sentence what’s going on and then move on.
Isn’t it funny that even with strangers we get a sense of who they are? And even in the smallest interactions, they rub off on us. As Cooper would attest, this man is lifting up the world, one genuine interaction at a time.
May we all do the same.
(featured photo is Cooper looking his most confident self)
You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon
Please check out the The Life of Try podcast Where trying becomes the spark for personal growth, discovery, and re-invention!
Surprised By Joy 
This was such a lovely reflection. I have to admit, I smiled at the thought of Cooper walking away from these encounters with a little extra swagger and confidence like, “Yes, yes… I know I’m magnificent.” It’s a nice reminder that small moments, kind words, and genuine interactions probably do shape our days more than we realize.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember reading about how we interact more easily and reveal more about ourselves when talking with people like your dog walking friend.
It sounds good to me and thanks to your friend, and all dogs everywhere, especially the handsome Cooper 😍
LikeLike
Whoever he is, run him through a copying machine. We need more of the fellow you describe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay for a friendly neighbor who lifts your spirits.
LikeLike
Love these thoughts. We all walk a little taller with a compliment or an encounter with someone whose inner self shines.
LikeLike
If Cooper is a fan of man then I’m a fan too. Hard to go wrong with that direction! 🤣🤣🤣😎😎😎
LikeLike
The ‘gift of gab’ is seemingly a lost art in our world of our busyness. I was talking with a parent on our last day field trip, he truly has gift of gab, as I probably do as well. He made a point that in order to know people you have to talk to people, and I think so many people we’ve run into are in hurry, not listening, or just afraid that no one‘s going to talk back. No wonder Cooper struts. Have a wonderful week.
LikeLike
Meeting the world with our inner world exposed certainly goes against the grain of what we’ve been taught. Maybe it should read with our inner goodness. Cute story. I have no doubt Cooper feels the love.
LikeLike
A little compliment goes a long way, and I’m sure it makes Cooper’s day! Today at the coffee shop, a woman was wearing the most fabulous pair of sandals. So as we were leaving, I stopped at her table and told her how much I loved her shoes. She beamed. It made my day. 👡👡
LikeLike
I love this story, Wynne, especially paired with Clay’s comment: in order to know people you have to talk to people. It’s truly such a joy to encounter people who seem to connect with others almost effortlessly.
LikeLike
Hi Wynne,
For some reason I’ve been having trouble commenting on WordPress blogs in my inbox. But I wanted to share that—
from this: “…his inner world matches his outer world.”
To this:
“He has the gift of being able to sum up in a sentence what’s going on and then move on.”
To this:
“…As Cooper (what a face❤️) would attest, this man is lifting up the world, one genuine interaction at a time.”
This is you and your writing. Thanks for the gem in my inbox this morning. (And I f you received this or another message like it, sorry about that.)
Enjoy the day!
Deb
deb farris writes
hope in hard places http://www.debfarris.com
LikeLike
The welcoming, open transparency of this man to share both the joys and mournings of his ‘inner world’, beyond the customary “I’m fine” dialogue, evokes a subtle, inspiring healing to the ‘outer world’ each of us needs and to pass on.
Thanks for adding this spark of encouragement to my day Wynne.
Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!
LikeLike
Sometimes one interaction is all it takes Wynne.
Lovely post.
Thank you.
Cooper is a beautiful dog btw 🤗
LikeLike
Oh, they do understand, those dogs, do!
And yes, there is an older gentleman who’s path I cross on the regular during my walks. I’ll let out a “Hello Mr. Boudreau” and that is the opening he needs… Sometimes it is rather difficult to walk away but … He shares quite liberally and has no idea of my name but hey.
LikeLike
It was always nice to meet up with folks who, like me, walked around Sumner. Some with and some without dogs. I’m beginning to recognize walkers and dogs here as well, probably since a lot of the time I have 2 vocal dogs on leashes with me 🙂
LikeLike
This is so well-expressed and you’ve made me think about the people I pass. How wonderful Cooper walks a little taller after those compliments.
LikeLike