When Elwin Knew Better Than Me

Picture this: I’m walking with my dog Elwin, just another day, right? We’re strolling down a ramp, heading toward our destination. But suddenly, something strange happens. Elwin—my usual energetic, fearless dog—stops. No, not just a little hesitation. He plants his feet, refusing to budge, no matter how much I encourage him. Now, I’ve seen Elwin pause before—usually to sniff something interesting or to greet another dog—but this? This was different. He wasn’t responding to my cues, wasn’t moving forward at all. So, I did what most of us do when something doesn’t make sense. I pushed forward, trying to get him to keep walking. But no, he wasn’t having it. “Come on, Elwin, let’s go!” I say. He doesn’t flinch. I stop, look around, and think, “Maybe he knows something I don’t.” So, I took a step back and decided to trust my dog’s instincts. If he wasn’t going forward, there had to be a reason. And guess what? We turned around, found another way, and this time—Elwin was in full stride, no hesitation. He had figured it out all along.

What My Dog Taught Me About Trusting Your Gut

I know what you’re thinking: “It’s just a dog, what could he possibly know about life’s bigger lessons?” Well, it turns out Elwin might have been onto something. Life, much like that ramp, sometimes throws us off track. We push forward, feeling like we need to keep moving in a certain direction, not even questioning whether it’s the right path.

But, Elwin’s moment of hesitation reminded me of something vital: sometimes, it’s okay to stop. Sometimes, it’s okay to take a step back and trust the journey, even if it means deviating from the plan. Maybe the universe is telling you to look for another way, and that "no" or "pause" is a sign to adjust course.

It’s crazy how easy it is to forget to trust our own intuition when we’re stuck in the hustle and bustle. Elwin, without any hesitation, knew it wasn’t right. He trusted himself and showed me the importance of doing the same.

The Wisdom of Listening

You see, sometimes in life, the best thing you can do is stop trying to force things. Trust your instincts. Trust the signs. Just like my dog knew, it’s important to recognize when a situation doesn’t feel right and when it’s time to make a change.

Sure, Elwin isn’t solving life’s big questions, but that moment on the ramp taught me a valuable lesson: our intuition is often more right than we think.

Your Turn: Have you ever had a moment where you just needed to stop, trust your instincts, and change direction? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss how often you listen to your gut.