Laugh. Play. Love.

~ What My Dog Taught Me About Living A Meaningful Life

Change and loss are woven into life. We cannot live a full life without them. Although both can be painful they push us into a greater understanding of what matters in life and they can help us become clearer with our true self as they provide a platform for substantial growth.

Over the past couple of year’s I’ve experienced many changes as I transition from one chapter to the next. The one constant through all of that change has been my right hand man, my best friend, my dog Tucker. After a series of layoffs, a romantic break up, over coming addictions I thought everything would be fine because Tucker and I had made it through the darkness, until a couple weeks ago, when they found a tumor in his nose attached to his brain, the likelihood of it being cancerous is extremely high.

This experience has shown me what really matters in life. Although Tucker is sick, we still have time together. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about life.

Laugh More.

I spent so much “time” trying to be somewhere else. In another job another relationship, another place. In my effortless pursuit to get to the greener grass I was missing life. Its not until my best friend was diagnosed with a life threatening disease did I see that the grass I’m standing on just needs a little water.

What we do with each hour is up to us. We always say, “I don’t have enough time.” But now every moment could be a lifetime. I don’t know how much time I have left with my dog, an hour, a day, weeks, months but I know I have this moment. And the time I spend with him right now matters. So I choose to think about all of the good times I can share with him. He makes me laugh. When I spend time with him, my heart is wide open. I feel so much love and the world seems brighter.

When we spend time with the people and friends that make us laugh and smile we feel lighter and stay in a state of joy. Choosing joy is the way for a happy life.

Play More.

It may feel hard, but try to smile when things are tough. If the IRS is auditing you, you are going through a divorce, you just lost your job, whatever is consuming you in this moment, learn to let it go, and know that there is purpose for the seemingly madness.  Know that your future-self is rooting for you and sees you getting through this tough time with grace and ease.

Sometimes it is important to take your mind off of the heavy life situations by doing something you enjoy, go outside and enjoy nature, or play your favorite computer game online. Remember that learning to laugh and play at difficult situations will help you feel more peaceful. Things don’t need to be serious all the time, and when we connect with our inner child, and lighten up and play with the world more we can appreciate all of its wonder.

Love More.

Life happens and forever rushes forward. It’s our opportunity to choose happiness and love now. It will never come to us when we search out there.

Love is what we search for and in a fit of range of self-abuse and sabotage we never see the gorgeous light waiting for us at the end of the tunnel.

Yes, my soul mate is sick. But he’s still here. I can still hold his hand and cuddle with him. It’s these moments that really matter. Our loving human connections make a difference.

The people we show up for. The energy we spend serving and helping others is what makes the grass green where you’re standing. I don’t know how much time I have with my furry friend. Minutes, hours, days, months or years. What I do know is I have this moment and in this moment forever I choose love.