cracked the code?

I think I've finally figured out what life is all about. It's about love. It's about having people and things in your life that you love. Some are given to you and some you find. It's about having something that makes you smile, laugh, cry. They inspire you and infuriate you. They love you. It's about having something worth living for. From the mouth of Ron Swanson "If you don't believe in love, whats the point of living?" It's so simple, yet so not. Its crazy how easily we forget that. Life is not about the clothes you wear, the magazines you read, the pictures you post that get liked, or what latest iPhone you have. Society will try to tell us that it is. Don't get me wrong, all these things are great. Yes, you want the newest phone so that you can take the best photos to keep all your memories. You want to wear clothes that make you feel and look good. Sitting down and reading a magazine about all the latest trends is fascinating and of course you want everyone you know to like your photos because it makes you feel special. But, the one thing I was getting wrong was that these were not additions to my life, but rather the things I found myself caring about the most.

Tonight I had a dog that I was dog sitting for start having a seizure. I knew that something wasn't right so I rushed her as fast as I could to the animal hospital. They gave her medicine to stop the seizing, but nothing worked. They said with how long it had been going on that she was most likely brain dead at this point and that they recommended euthanasia. I balled. This wasn't even my own dog, but I cried so hard. As I stood there petting her while they gave her the shot, I thought about how lucky I was to have known this dog the short time that I did. I watched her previously tremoring body ease and something clicked for me. Life is about highs and lows, good and bad, life and death. I realized that we are more affected by people, loved ones, and experiences, but more influenced by things of much lesser value.

This experience taught me a lesson. For all of you who are going to make fun of me for being so upset about the death of a dog, or the fact that I've had an epiphany about my life from the death of a dog that wasn't even mine I say: make fun all you want. Say what you will but this experience changed me. I, from now on, am going to operate out of love and put on the back burner everything that is so much less than that. I believe love is THE most important thing. Any kind of love. It's got to be the reason we get up everyday and keep enduring life even when it's shitty. I believe this happened so God could teach me this lesson. I can only pray that he keeps reminding me of this daily and I can continue to live the rest of my life like this. All the other stuff, it doesn't matter. It really doesn't. Love your loved ones a little extra today and everyday, especially on the days its hard. Hold them tight a little longer than usual and don't let go. I know I'm sure as hell going to.