Things I’ve learned from my one-eyed dog …
- Imperfections are what make us unique. While each of our faces is made up of two eyes, a nose and a mouth no two people are alike. Each little scar, freckle and mark makes us different from another. And, when you look past the thing that makes a person dissimilar from yourself you often find a hidden treasure that binds us all together in a similar sphere.
- Don’t let your handicap become your crutch. I have met many who have a handicap in one fashion or another and they are among some of the strongest people in the world. I think there is a certain strand of tenacity that accompanies an imperfection. God bestows on us each an individual set of gifts. To those that lack one thing He seems to multiply in another.
- Love is the thing. Whether canine or human, most times, at the end of the day all you need is love. They say there is no love like that of a dog and when I come home from an exhausting day her love is the antidote that corrects all the wrong. I think we should share this basic love with one another as well. A kind word or a genuinely warm hug permeates the most rigid of boundaries.
- Know your angles. Whether in life or in photos we all have a good side. Always remember to turn toward it at a moment's notice. Be it the flash of a camera or a flash of life be prepared to meet it head on with your best side forward!
- Pride is pride. Again, whether canine or human we all bestow an element of pride. When she stumbles because she did not see an impending obstacle on her right side she quickly assesses who witnessed this blunder and how much did they actually see. I find this true of myself as well. When pride thrusts us into a realm of vanity we need to take a step back; evaluate the fact that we are – indeed- human and therefore, fallible; and just have a good hard laugh at ourselves. When we do not take ourselves too seriously those that love us are allowed to accept us at our worst as well as our best. Because, after all … all you need is love!