From the Perspective of a Chihuahua (Life Lessons)

Meet Princess, My 7 lb bundle of joy.

About a decade ago, I was taking Princess—my tiny, spirited Chihuahua—on her usual morning walk. The weather was perfect. The sun beamed gently overhead, the birds sang in harmony, and a light breeze brought just the right touch of coolness to the air. The neighborhood was quiet, aside from the sounds of nature.

It seemed like a typical morning. But it’s funny how often we take these “typical” moments for granted. We become so accustomed to the beauty around us that we overlook it, always chasing something bigger, something bolder. That morning, however, turned out to be anything but ordinary—because Princess taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.

May 2, 2015

As we strolled along (me still half-asleep, if I’m being honest—mornings aren’t my strong suit), Princess suddenly stopped. She tilted her head and cautiously approached a patch of dandelions, taller than she was, looking utterly perplexed.

It was an amusing sight—her tiny body dwarfed by a group of wildflowers. From her perspective, they were a looming obstacle. I watched as she hesitated, clearly uncertain. Her expressive little face cycled through confusion, frustration, fear, annoyance, and finally—determination.

Then, as if on cue, a breeze rolled in. The dandelions began to release their seeds into the air, fluttering around her like gentle confetti. She stared in awe as these intimidating flowers dissolved before her eyes, carried off effortlessly by the wind.

Something shifted. Her wide-eyed stare gave way to pure excitement. With a joyful burst of energy, she sprinted through the patch of dandelions, tail wagging, as the seeds scattered in her path. What had once stopped her in her tracks had become her playground.

She could’ve turned around. She could’ve taken a different path. But instead, she paused, gave herself a moment to think—and in doing so, realized that the obstacle wasn’t so big after all.

That tiny act—staying present just long enough to gain a new perspective—changed everything.

What seemed overwhelming and confusing had become a moment of triumph, of delight. And honestly? That moment stayed with me.

It reminded me of something we all go through:

Times when the problem feels too big.

Moments when fear or self-doubt creeps in.

Obstacles that seem impossible at first glance.

But sometimes, all it takes is a moment of stillness—a breeze, a pause, a new angle—to show us that we’re stronger than we thought. That the challenge isn’t as daunting as it seemed.

Have you ever…

Faced a situation that felt too big to overcome—only to find it wasn’t? Once you got started, it was much less daunting than it seemed.

Doubted yourself—only to later realize you were far more capable than you imagined?

Felt stuck, lost, or overwhelmed—yet somehow, through all the obstacles and moments of doubt, you made it through?

———————

You’re still here. You’re still fighting. You’re still growing. That counts for something.

So many of us let fear, anxiety, or pressure keep us from doing the things we long to do. But what if we stuck around just a little longer? What would we discover if we gave ourselves the chance to see things more clearly—to shift our perspective?

That morning inspired a quote that still resonates deeply with me:

“Perspective is one of the least utilized tools in life.” -Annie Edwards

So thank you, Princess. You may be seven pounds of fluff and sass, but your wisdom is weightless and vast.

The takeaway?

Pause long enough to gain perspective.

You’re stronger than you think.

Obstacles aren’t always what they seem.

And never forget to observe the flowers—sometimes, the smallest moments leave the biggest mark.