THM Blog

Tag: stranger

  • Some Things I Have Run Across in My Journey *

    “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”* — **Proverbs 17:22**

    During my journey through life, God has taught me many lessons—some through prayer, some through joy, and many through the ordinary moments I almost overlooked. Looking back, I have discovered that happiness is often a choice, gratitude is a habit, and every day is another opportunity to grow closer to Him.

    As the years have passed, I have found that some of life’s greatest blessings are also its simplest. Smile often. Laugh often. Thank God often.

    Medical researchers tell us that laughter can reduce stress, brighten our outlook, and even support better heart health. While laughter may not make us younger in years, it certainly can make us younger in spirit. How beautiful are the words of Scripture: >

    *”A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”* > **— Proverbs 17:22**

    God created us for joy. Every sunrise, every friendship, every child’s laughter, every kind word, every flower in bloom, and every answered prayer reminds us that our Heavenly Father delights in giving good gifts to His children.

    ## Seeing Blessings in Disguise One of the greatest changes in my life came when I stopped seeing interruptions as inconveniences and began seeing them as invitations from God.

    Whenever something goes wrong—a spilled drink, misplaced keys, a delayed appointment, a flat tire, or any little mishap—I try to stop immediately and thank the Lord.

    That may sound strange. Why thank God for spilling coffee? Because perhaps He is trying to slow me down. Perhaps He wants me to notice something I have overlooked. Perhaps He is gently encouraging me to clean the cluttered desk I have been avoiding.

    Perhaps He is reminding me that His plans are often better than my own. Instead of becoming frustrated, I simply smile and pray:

    “Thank You, Lord.”** It is amazing how quickly peace returns when gratitude replaces irritation. Our hearts become calmer. Our minds become clearer. We begin looking for blessings instead of problems.

    The Apostle Paul encourages us: > *”Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”* > **— 1 Thessalonians 5:18** Notice that Paul says **in** all circumstances—not necessarily **for** all circumstances.

    Even during life’s inconveniences, God is present, quietly working for our good.

    Seeing Christ in Others Perhaps the greatest lesson I have ever encountered is this: **

    Treat every person you meet as though you were meeting Christ Himself.** Imagine how differently we would speak. Imagine how patiently we would listen. Imagine how kindly we would serve. Jesus told us: >

    “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.”* > **— Matthew 25:40**

    Every person you meet today is someone for whom Christ gave His life.

    The cashier.

    The waiter.

    The receptionist.

    The neighbor.

    The lonely resident sitting quietly in the dining room.

    The family member who sometimes tests your patience.

    The stranger you may never meet again.

    Each one is precious in God’s eyes. Living here at West Fork Village has reminded me again and again that every smile in the hallway, every shared meal, every friendly conversation, and every helping hand is another opportunity to encounter Christ.

    We never know when a simple act of kindness may brighten someone’s entire day—or even change a life. When we begin seeing Christ in others, something wonderful happens.

    We become more forgiving. More patient. More compassionate. More joyful. And the world becomes a little brighter because Christ is shining through us.

    A Different Way to Live:

    The world teaches us to hurry.

    God teaches us to notice.

    The world teaches us to complain.

    God teaches us to give thanks.

    The world teaches us to judge.

    Jesus teaches us to love.

    Those simple changes can completely transform the way we experience life. Smile more. Laugh often.

    Thank God for every blessing. See every interruption as an invitation from God. Treat every person as though you were meeting Christ Himself.

    Little by little, our homes become happier, our friendships become stronger, and our hearts become more peaceful. Most importantly, we grow closer to the One who walks beside us every step of our journey.

    A Simple Challenge Tomorrow morning, before your feet touch the floor, ask God for three simple gifts:

    – A heart that smiles.

    – Eyes that recognize His blessings.

    -The grace to see Christ in every person you meet.

    If you sincerely pray that prayer each day, I believe it will begin to change your life—just as it has changed mine.

    May God grant each of us the grace to recognize His blessings, whether they come wrapped in joy, hidden inside a small inconvenience, or standing quietly before us in the face of another person. For every day is a gift.

    Every person is precious. Every moment is another opportunity to love God and to love one another.

    And perhaps that is one of the greatest discoveries we will eve make. :::

    Thank you for reading this blog. Please share it with others.

    Rick Herring
    thmjmj@thmjmj8875

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  • Develops your Dog’s “Hidden Intelligence” To eliminate bad behavior

    Activate Your Dog’s “Second Brain”

    What if I told you your dog has a second brain? Not a tiny brain hidden somewhere in its body… but a powerful system that controls emotions, memories, behavior, and even happiness. And here’s the crazy part… Most dog owners accidentally ignore it every single day.

    Today, I’m going to show you how to activate your dog’s “second brain” and why doing so could transform their behavior, reduce anxiety, and make them happier than a brand-new squeaky toy. Let’s talk about your dog’s nose. —

    Now before you think I’ve completely lost my mind… No, your dog doesn’t actually have two brains. But scientists and animal behavior experts often describe a dog’s nose and scent-processing system as being so powerful that it functions like an entirely different way of experiencing the world.

    Think about it. Humans see the world. Dogs smell the world. Imagine walking into a room and instantly knowing: – Who was there six hours ago – What they ate – Whether they were stressed – Whether another dog passed through – Whether a squirrel visited the backyard That’s basically normal life for your dog.

    Their nose isn’t just stronger than ours. It’s unbelievably stronger. Humans have roughly six million scent receptors. Many dogs have over 300 million. And the part of the brain devoted to analyzing smell is proportionally far larger than ours.

    Which means every walk you’re taking? Your dog isn’t just going for exercise. They’re reading the newspaper. — Quick question. Have you ever gotten frustrated because your dog keeps stopping every ten feet to sniff? I used to think, “Come on buddy, we’re trying to walk here.”

    Turns out… My dog thought WE were stopping every ten feet so I could interrupt HIS important research project. —

    WHY SNIFFING IS SO IMPORTANT

    Here’s something most people don’t realize. A tired dog is not necessarily a happy dog. A mentally satisfied dog is a happy dog. And sniffing is one of the most powerful forms of mental stimulation available.

    Researchers have found that allowing dogs to engage in natural scenting behaviors can help reduce stress and increase optimism. Yes. Optimism. Scientists actually have ways of measuring emotional states in dogs. When dogs get opportunities to use their noses, they often show signs associated with improved emotional well-being.

    Think of it this way. Running a mile tires muscles. Ten minutes of intense sniffing can tire the brain. And the brain burns a surprising amount of energy. That’s why some dogs come home from a “sniffari” walk more relaxed than after a long jog. The walk wasn’t longer. It was richer. —

    But here’s where it gets interesting. Most dog owners think activating this “second brain” requires expensive equipment. It doesn’t. In fact, the first exercise costs exactly zero dollars. —

    THE 5-MINUTE NOSE GAME

    Try this tomorrow. Take a handful of your dog’s kibble or treats. Scatter them in the grass. That’s it. Seriously. Don’t put them in a bowl. Don’t hand-feed them. Let your dog search. What looks like a simple game to us is actually a complex scent puzzle for them. They’re using airflow. Ground scent. Memory. Problem-solving. And concentration.

    It’s basically Wordle for dogs. Except they’re much better at it than most of us are at Wordle. Start with easy searches. Then make it harder. Hide treats behind furniture. Under boxes. Inside safe puzzle toys. Watch what happens. You’ll see intense focus. Then satisfaction. And often a much calmer dog afterward. —

    Imagine if someone locked you in a room and said: “Good news. You don’t have to think today. Just run laps.” Eventually you’d say, “Can I do literally anything else?” That’s kind of how some dogs feel. They need mental work too. —

    THE BIG WALKING MISTAKE

    Let’s talk about walks. Most people measure a successful walk by distance. Dogs often measure it by information. If your dog spends five minutes investigating one bush… They’re not being stubborn.

    They’re gathering data. Who’s been here? When? Male or female dog? Healthy? Stressed? Familiar? Stranger? To us it’s a bush. To them it’s social media. Every post. Every comment. Every update. Stored in scent. Now, that doesn’t mean you should let your dog drag you around the neighborhood.

    Training still matters. But occasionally allowing a slower “sniff walk” can be incredibly enriching. Think quality over quantity. A twenty-minute sniff-focused walk can sometimes be more satisfying than a much longer march where they’re constantly being rushed along. — And now for the weirdest part. Your dog can actually smell things about YOU that you don’t even realize you’re broadcasting. —

    YOUR DOG CAN SMELL YOUR EMOTIONS

    Studies suggest dogs can detect changes in human scent associated with emotional states. Stress changes body chemistry. Fear changes body chemistry. Excitement changes body chemistry. And dogs are remarkably sensitive to those changes. Have you ever noticed your dog acting differently when you’re anxious? Following you around? Staying close? Being unusually attentive?

    Part of that may be because they’re picking up signals you don’t even know you’re sending. It’s one reason dogs are used in important working roles. Their noses detect information that humans simply can’t perceive. To your dog, your scent tells a story. And they’re constantly reading it. Which is both amazing… And slightly terrifying. Because your dog probably knows you’re stressed before you do. —

    Meanwhile my dog somehow can’t find the treat directly in front of him… But can detect a crumb under the refrigerator from three weeks ago. Explain that. —

    HOW TO ACTIVATE THE “SECOND BRAIN” DAILY

    (By the way if you want to check some like, that has been getting raving reviews, the link is in the bio below)

    If you want to start today, here’s a simple plan. Number one: Allow dedicated sniff time during walks. Number two: Play scent games at home. Number three: Rotate puzzle feeders and enrichment activities.

    Hide treats around the house. Number five: Let your dog investigate new environments safely. A new park. A different trail. Even a different route around the neighborhood. Novel scents provide incredible mental stimulation. Remember: Exercise works the body. Scent work exercises the mind. Your dog needs both. —

    CONCLUSION

    So does your dog really have a second brain? Not literally. But their scent-processing abilities are so powerful that smell shapes almost everything they do. Their memories. Their decisions. Their emotions. Their understanding of the world.

    And when we give dogs opportunities to use that incredible ability, we’re not just entertaining them. We’re letting them be dogs. The next time your dog stops to sniff something interesting, don’t immediately rush them along. For all you know… They’re reading the most important news story of the day.

    If you enjoyed this video, hit Subscribe, and let me know in the comments: What’s the strangest thing your dog has ever stopped to sniff? Trust me… The answers are going to be hilarious.

    If you actually want to try something like this Click Here.