Ever hear of the Zen concept of self determinism?

This is the idea that The Master knows that Everything that happens in one’s own life is a result of one’s own choises.

By example:

It was you who chose to sleep that extra 10 minutes.

It was you who decided that you had to hurry because you were running late.

It was you who chose to run that red light rather than wait for it to change.

It was you that decided not to examine your surroundings before transgressing the law.

So when the police officer that you zoomed past as you ran the red light is writing you a ticket and making you even MORE late for work. Why are you angry at him? His only choise was whether or not to do his job….and you WANT him to do his job this time because it means it is much more likely that he will choose to do his job when you NEED him to.

Some dogs….

When you walk them

Will stick right by your side

With no leash to hold them

Others will need a loose leash

To describe the boundaries

Within which they are free to move

However, some will strain at that

Pulling with all their might this way and that

These require a tight leash and strict control

It is not the owner that sets the limits of freedom

Though the owner may if he so chooses

Rather, it is the dog that determines this.

Though its own actions.

And again….

Some dogs do not want to leave the house

Some will go out, but will sit and wait

At the door for the owner to come out with them.

Some will go out, do their business, and come back when they are done

Some will go out and not come back until they are called

Some will go out and not come back at all, and so a fence is required.

Some will climb over or dig under the fence, and thus must be tied

Some will chew though the rope…and thus must be chained

Some will bark a lot when they are chained

Some will snarl and become vicious when chained, but will be ok when loose.

Some are not safe to unchain.

Some must be caged for the owner’s safety

Some should be destroyed, but are not because the owners like them that way

Some are destroyed, regardless of their owner.

Two factors determine what level the dog resides at

The trust of the owner in the future actions of the dog

And the actual actions of the dog on any given day

So…I suppose the question is…

Which dog are you?....and why?

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