Lead Dog

I was watching one of those wildly-colorful and all-too-busy truck commercials today, and one of the things the narrator said stuck with me.  He said, “If you’re not the lead dog, then the scenery never changes.”  I know that they were trying to imply that this particular truck company was leading the charge on innovation and technological advances, but the turn of phrase was interesting.  I immediately thought of the literal meaning, and a dogsled team came to mind.  All those dogs in the back only looking at the behind of the dog in front of them.  And the only one that can see things change is the one in front.

The imagery made me think about so many applications.  About how we often find ourselves stuck in a routine where the scenery is always the same.  About how we rush through life only focused on chasing the person who has more than us or the fictitious person that we think we need to be.  About how we all think we need to be lead dog, because that is the only place where it’s good.

But my question is why can’t the dogs in the back look around?  Why can they only look forward?  Why can’t they take time to enjoy the passing scenery too?  Why can’t we take time to enjoy things as they happen instead of rushing through them?  Why can’t we be content where we are?  Because I bet you that the people in front of us are no happier than we are.  They are still looking ahead to the next conquest, the next person.  So, why would we want to be them?  Why do we assume that their life is so much better off?

I’m not the lead dog.  I don’t really think that I ever want to be the lead dog.  But I can take time to enjoy each moment, each day.  I can take time to look to the side.  I can take time to feel the snow under my feet, the wind in my face, and the heat in my muscles.  I can enjoy the smells and the sounds.  And I can enjoy the companionship of the other dogs I’m running with.  I’d rather have a pack than be a lone wolf.