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When I lived in Nashville, Tennessee, I had a 95-pound Goldendoodle named Bear. One ordinary morning, he wandered down a hill to do his business. I wasn’t worried. Bear usually did his thing and came right back.
Then, out of nowhere, nearly 20 deer came flying past me. For a moment, I felt like I was standing in Jurassic Park—deer racing in every direction, chaos unfolding all around me. And then Bear saw them. That 95-pound dog took off like a rocket, charging after the herd with every ounce of energy he had. He wasn’t thinking about his expensive food bowl, his comfortable bed, or what kind of car we drove. He was chasing an experience.
For the next 30 to 45 minutes, we had no idea where he was. I drove around the entire community in a golf cart, calling his name and hoping he was safe. Finally, I spotted him on a golf course, completely exhausted and stretched out in the grass. But he looked happy.
Bear had spent the morning doing what dogs do best: living completely in the moment. He didn’t care about possessions, status, or comfort. He cared about movement, adventure, curiosity, and the thrill of the chase. There’s a lesson in that for all of us.
We often spend our lives chasing bigger houses, newer cars, better clothes, and more impressive possessions. Yet research on happiness consistently shows that experiences tend to create more lasting satisfaction than material things. Objects may bring temporary excitement, but experiences become stories—and stories become memories.
A walk on the beach. A spontaneous road trip. Playing fetch with your dog. Laughing until your stomach hurts. Watching a sunset with someone you love. These are the moments that stay with us. So, every once in a while, stop shopping for happiness and start searching for adventure. Take the trip. Try something new. Say yes to the unexpected.
Because in the end, possessions gather dust—but memories keep giving. Minutes become moments become memories.
Chase experiences. That’s where life happens.
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