Mabel, Maddie, and Moose lined up for the race of the century (or maybe just the race of the day). We had our own little competition going on, and I have to say, it was definitely worth watching. Hilarious! But also, surprisingly insightful.
Take a guess at who won? Yep, Mabel. Every. Single. Time. That girl approached every race with laser focus and her eyes on the prize. She never got distracted, and she listened to my voice. As soon as I shouted, “Go!” she held her head high and looked straight ahead, smiling all the way. She was confident she would win.
Not so much with Moose and Maddie. They have adventure in their blood, and it’s clear they share the same dad. Those two approach things very differently than Mabel does. As soon as the race started, they veered toward each other like magnets—nudging, jumping, chasing, and trying to throw each other off course. Within seconds, it became less of a race and more of a comedy show. The two of them seemed to have forgotten about the finish line. They eventually got there, with Mabel already at the end, watching patiently and probably confused about what they were doing.
Watching these three dogs always brings a smile to my face. Each offers valuable lessons when I pay attention. Mabel has excellent focus and knows how to remain on track, ignore distractions, and keep her eyes on the finish line. She accomplishes all this with joy, free of tension or stress. For her, a steady pace and a confident smile are all she requires.
Moose and Maddie remind me that sometimes we need to laugh along the way and enjoy the journey, even if we’re not “winning.” 
In their eyes, they win every time, even if they aren’t the first to cross the finish line.
Here are the lessons I’ve learned from both of these approaches:
• Stay focused on the goal in front of you.
• Don’t let distractions (or other people’s expectations) throw you off course.
• Smile, and don’t be afraid to enjoy the ride, even when it feels like a race you can’t win.
We all have our moments of feeling anxious and wondering if our efforts will get across the finish line. Focusing on the goal is important, but the finish line is always sweeter when you’ve had some fun along the way. Thanks to Mabel, Maddie, and Moose for a lesson we all need!
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