Three lessons from the teacher who did not speak

Today, my best {fur} friend would have turned nine.?

My yoga teacher once told me that a wall or floor could be a teacher if one only chooses to learn. What I now realize is that I lost a great teacher.?

Unfortunately, Chaplin left us too early - just days before his 9th birthday to brain and lung tumors.?

A friend of mine noted, though, that in numerology, the number nine represents completion- a "Culmination of wisdom and experience, and buzzes with the energy of both endings and new beginnings." Today, I sit here and ruminate in this understanding along with the immense grief that I feel.??

1) Dreams do come true. Have a clear vision.?

I've always wanted a dog since I can remember. I adore dogs, and they, in turn, adore me. I used to walk the dogs of my neighbors and cuddle every dog I met, but I could never have my own. Street dogs were and are a common sight in Belarus, where I grew up. Several times a year, I would be either fostering a puppy or looking for someone to take one, literally knocking from door to door.

I had always dreamed of owning a dog. I had a white curly-haired plush toy named Totya that I used to carry around; telling people that I now had a dog.

But it felt impossible—I had no family in Canada and was expected to study and work hard in order to succeed.

Nevertheless, I couldn't stop dreaming... I had a breed in mind after a chance encounter with a lawyer's dog, which was this Wheaton-colored, fluffy, and sociable dog. Now, I had a clear vision, and his name would be Chaplin.

Finally, after marrying my dog-loving husband, we took advantage of his work break and adopted a Wheaten Terrier puppy named Chaplin.

The same morning we went to pick him up, we found out we were pregnant with our son, so when the breeder placed the biting fluff ball into my arms and said that "Your lives would never be the same," she was darn right!

Four years later, I was visiting my parents in Belarus, and I found Totya… who was basically Chaplin in toy form.

As I apply these lessons to business, they remind me of the importance of setting BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) and having a clear vision, even when that vision seems impossible to achieve.

I am sure Elon Musk did not have a complete strategy for how to build Tesla, but he had a strong and detailed vision that even included the now famous name - Tesla.??

2) Slow the F..K down. Be present; there is joy in the present.

(Well, Chaplin, compared to me, would not swear…)?

Growing up in a post-Soviet scarcity mentality, my parents taught me well: "If you need a break from mental activity, you switch to physical (aka cleaning the house, working on a vegetable garden, etc.). When you are tired physically, you switch to mental activities!”?

Anything that does not serve a specified purpose is essentially a waste of time. I was an A student and a good girl, so I followed this advice to the letter and, at the age of 25, developed a mass in my thyroid. Following a successful surgery, I resolved to live a life in which I am responsible for my own health.

First and foremost, I was determined to figure out how to control my chronically high stress levels. This led to a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in Bali, followed by a Jon Kabat Zinn Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course. Chaplin entered my life at this point.

Walking Chaplin gave me a "purpose" to go for a walk. I stopped carrying my phone with me as I learned more about mindfulness and resilience strategies, and our time together became genuinely amazing. I never imagined myself as someone who would "stop and smell the flowers," but here we are!

When I was feeling overwhelmed, it was my not-so-secret weapon. Walking, or moving my body, while remaining attentive allowed me to reset, get out of a mental rut, get perspective, and emerge revitalized.

It spilled over into other activities, and I began prioritizing happiness - camping trips, nights by the fire, dancing, hiking. Overall, my stress levels dropped dramatically, my lifestyle became more balanced, and I was much happier.

He taught me about the power of conscious movement and gave me permission to use it for no particular reason. Since Chaplin's illness, I've found it awkward to go for a stroll or hike by myself.

I've decided to commit (please hold me accountable) to arranging a hike in two days today!

I swear to you, Chaplin. I'm allowing myself to just be and enjoy myself without any "purpose" in mind.?

3) I am loved, no matter what.?

I don't even know how to approach this one- it feels deep and vulnerable.?

However, I chose to share because, through coaching, I've noticed that a lack of belief in one's own worth and worthiness is at the root of many leadership-related objectives, such as improving executive presence, public speaking, taking a risk, influencing and speaking up, and taking a seat at the table.

You start listening to yourself, trusting that you can manage anything that comes your way, and taking risks with ease when you know you are loved no matter what.

When you live with a dog, they tell you that they love you every time you walk through the door, enter a room, serve food, or call their name. You feel cherished simply for being in that world.?

You eventually come to believe them.

This is what allowed me to follow my heart and change careers, eventually launching my own business.

Whatever happens, I am loved and supported.

If you're reading this, remember that you are loved and supported regardless of your circumstances.

Will we get another dog? I believe eventually. It'll most likely be another Wheaton Terrier with the name Cosmo (like in Seinfeld!).

First, I'd like to incorporate the lessons learned over the past nine years from the best teacher I could have had.

With love and gratitude,?

Nataliya?

P.S. I have been thinking about (re)starting a newsletter. I am not certain what the structure would be, but likely it will be reflections on life and work in the fields- all things about leaders and teams who want to grow, work well together and make an impact. If you are interested in receiving one, drop me a line or sign up on my website.