Sidekick or trusted advisor?
Here’s a story of learning importance of sniffing situation out, listening to subordinates, believing you can do the impossible.
Dad used to think I was just a caddy of cute. That’s the only thing I was good for. I can’t talk but I can express my thoughts. Used to be he didn’t listen. Then he realized a lot of times I was right, And I led him to ideas he never thought of, made him do things he thought he couldn’t do.
“Twinkle this is mini-golf hole is impossible. Guess LATAM courses are little shorter, instead of grass it’s green cement. Check the yardage card.” No, I’ll go sniff it out.
Well it’s a par 5 down the hill through the water hazard, pretty constricted as you navigate the heart of seashells, the hole is at the crest.
“Impossible let’s skip this hole.” Oh no were not. Did some research in advance brought along your pitching wedge. Daddy, I’m your caddy, my job to give you different POV. And no dogleg jokes please. You said we need to think different.
Mira all the real grass on the right, just chip it there. Then karom next shot off the guardrail, it’ll roll right into the hole. Next thing you know I’m marking down eagle, picking ball outta the hole with my tiny snout.
Caddies aren’t sidekicks, simply carry a bag, we’re trusted advisors. That’s what I am Dad.
“Gracias for the big idea puppy. What’s our total through nine?”
On track for a course record thanks to me, Gringo!
We all need a conscious compass
Dad, you played baseball. What’s it like getting a new glove? Well gloves are pretty important. Ya love your old glove, it’s comfortable and lotta sentimtal memories. But I’m dropping balls, it starts to fall apart. Don’t want to get one, but my teammates insist I get a new glove,
In Medellin we go to the same farmacia. Don’t know if they have the best prices, but they certainly have best staff. There’s this girl who loves me, Maria. When we come in she leaves the counter to hold me. I LOVE HER. She had to go to school for a long time to get that job. She’s smart and sweet, just like me.
Well my bolsa rosada, it’s starting to fall apart. A tiny rip on one of the sides, zipper only goes abouot 3/4 of the way. But it smells like me. Lotta good memores. it was my very first carrier.
Colombianos don’t like confrontation. Somebody’s feelings might get hurt. Well not Maria, she let you know what she feels. We walk in, “Padre we need to talk, Been holding back on this. Not anymore. That bolsa is a safety hazard to the dog. Maria has worked up a lather, threatening, What if little Twinkle falls out???!!! Huh.
Tranquilo Colombiana. Nothing bad has happened yet, plus Twink likes the smell, you know that’s important. I’m not letting you in here until there’s a new bolsa. Dad, cowering … OK.
Took a while to break in my new bolsa, you can see I didn’t want to switch but got used to it. Maria is a real friend. She made us Do Something We Didn’t Want to Do. Dad, she is our CONSCIOUS-COMPASS. Everybody needs one of those.
be patient, You’re not ready yet
Here’s a story about importance of tests, not letting one get ‘over their skis.’
Used to be my anxiety was dreading something bad doesn’t happen. I really didn’t feel safe, didn’t like that much. Now I still have anxiety but in this case it’s waiting and hoping the desired positive outcome occurs as soon as possible. Dad did you get the as soon as possible part Dad.
“Sure did, sounds like I’m the one solely responsible to make it happen, right? You got these dreams of Unleashed, La Princesa. I’m sure you can get there be patient, you’re not ready yet.”
You said get I get unleashed in our new home right? Dog gone it, showed you I can swim in pool back home. Let me loose this dog wants to paddle! Unleash me, I AM READY!
“That’s the mighty Pacific puppy. You go for a swim it would be DOG GONE.”
Oh, yeah new home, new challenges. We really do trust each other, right. “Sure do, but we both need some time, need tests, plural to both get Unleashed. Not a one-time affair like GMAT, MCAT.” Uh, Dad I don’t like cats. “Jaja puppy our super-graduate level tests more of a ‘Bar Exam.’ We gottta keep raising our Personal ‘BAR’ every day. Pass a complex series of ‘pop’ quizzes, reflect on learnings should we fail one.”
Whatever, ‘Buzzword Dad.’ I understand this will take time, but confident process will strengthen our bond, take our trust to a new level. Well put Twinkles. “Espero, our evolution journey has just befun (sic). Espero.” I only know 250 words and NONE in Spanish. What does ‘usperro’ (sic) mean?
”Well, the way you said it is SPANGLISH, means together (US) dog (PERRO).”
the zen of espero
Here’s a story of understanding complexities of a challenge, realizing what you can control.
When are you coming home, when are we going on a walk? I’m getting angry-anxious.
"ESPERO pup, WAIT, HOPE. You, as a dog should realize you really have no control. We TRUST each other, so realize your WAIT, HOPE will be positviely resolved. Unless you TRY to INFLUENCE me by peeing on the rug. In that case your efforts will result in a backfire.” Kinda like when Dad got pissed off at the gate agent. Yeah, wasn’t very tranquilo of you and we paid for it.
Heading to Medellin, we saw two of our new friends, Antonio and Sofia waiting for bus. Look at Sofia’s puppy dog eyes, she looks sad Dad. Let’s give them a ride. “You have a sweet heart puppy, but they live in Chile, will take them about 20-hours for them to get home. Didn’t I mention the zero comprehension of ‘the concept of time.’ “Sorry dog it’s a LONG way away, mucho mas tiempo.” See I understand that.
“Waiting for the autobus, hoping it’s on time is first step in a multi-legged journey back home. Potential for a lot of ‘variability and surprises’ here in America Centro/Sur. ‘Espero,’ is a coping mechanism.
If autobus drivers pull a huelga (strike), that could throw a monkeywrench into their already complex plan. They have a plan but really can’t control its execution. Espero isn’t powerless rather it’s a realization of knowing what you can control. At least they have a shoulder to lean on, just like you and me.”
Espero, that’s what I gotta do to get Unleashed. Why did you choose ‘Despacito’ as the theme song?
It means ‘slowly.’
serendipity and espero are cousins
A fortunate accident. How Dad and I got united, serendipity. As I reflect we were blessed with an overflow of things breaking good. People say you make your define your own destiny, true. But a little timely topspin of serendipity can come in handy. Like our pictures. Dad staged only two of them. The rest were capturing una maga de Milagro. But we’re both blessed with awareness, creative skills to authentically capture that naturally occurring ripple in the universe. g