One of the best things about 2020 is the space it has created. My favorite activity of 2020 is walking our border collie, James Bond. A dog is an accountability partner. Time and energy invested in training a dog has a parallel to the time and energy put into training our own minds.

Robert Cabral is my favorite online dog trainer. I wish I would have done more homework when we first got Bond as a puppy… Border collies are notoriously intelligent and athletic, and Bond is a bit wild and unruly.

Walking, training, and playing with Bond is an opportunity to be present, keep him focused, and burn off his excess energy. It’s also a reflection of my inner state and training him teaches me about my own discipline. Taming the inner beast. I also do my best thinking on dog walks.

James Bond is a work in progress. Just like me. I’m grateful to have him.