This morning at the park, I watched Elsie, my white golden retriever, roll onto her back in the grass, paws in the air, completely lost in the moment. She didn’t care that she was getting dirty. She wasn’t thinking about what came next. She was just happy.
Golden retrievers are known for their boundless enthusiasm, their love of chasing balls, and their unwavering loyalty. But Elsie? She’s carved out her own version of golden retriever life.
She doesn’t retrieve. She digs—enthusiastically, persistently, and with great purpose. I fill the holes in, and she kindly helps me out by digging them again. She enjoys wading in water but doesn’t swim, possibly because our staffy, Jock, has convinced her that dogs can’t swim. She’s happy being herself, as long as her meals arrive on time and cuddles are in abundance.
And honestly? I think she’s onto something.
Find Joy in the Small Things
Elsie doesn’t need a big event or a grand achievement to be happy—she just needs a patch of dirt and the freedom to dig. She reminds me that joy isn’t always about chasing something external. Sometimes, it’s in the little moments: a great conversation, a quiet coffee, a walk outside. The moments we often overlook are the ones that add up to a fulfilling life.
Stay True to Yourself, Even If It Looks Different
Golden retrievers should love swimming, but Elsie stays in the shallows, content to splash around. She’s not worried about what she’s supposed to do.
How often do we feel pressured to follow a certain path because it’s expected? Maybe we don’t want the next promotion. Maybe we’d rather work on a side project than chase titles. Maybe the way we define success doesn’t fit the traditional mold. And that’s okay. True happiness isn’t found in ticking boxes—it’s in living a life that feels right to you.
Follow Your Instincts, But Stay Open to Learning
Elsie trusts her instincts, but sometimes, those instincts are influenced by others—like Jock’s highly questionable claim that dogs can’t swim. She’s never challenged it, and maybe she’s missing out on something great.
There’s a lesson there, too. While it’s important to trust ourselves, it’s equally important to question whether the beliefs we hold are actually serving us. Are we avoiding risks because of genuine instinct—or because someone, somewhere, once told us we couldn’t?
Make Space for Play (and a Little Messiness)
Elsie doesn’t stress about perfection—she embraces the mess, quite literally. Dirt on her fur? No problem. Grass stains? Part of the fun.
In a world that constantly pushes productivity and optimisation, maybe we all need a little more time to roll in the grass. Play isn’t just for kids (or dogs). Creativity, rest, and unstructured time aren’t luxuries—they’re fuel.
Happiness Isn’t About Fitting In—It’s About Feeling at Home in Yourself
Elsie isn’t trying to be a better golden retriever. She’s just being Elsie. She’s not chasing approval, just what makes her happy.
Maybe the secret isn’t in running after the same ball as everyone else. Maybe it’s in digging our own path, rolling in the grass, and wading into the water at our own pace.
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde 🐶✨