Value It While You Have It

Loving anyone or anything means, eventually, you’ll lose it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a significant other, a hobby, a job, or even a dog. Eventually, it comes to an end.

Fourteen years ago, just a few weeks into our marriage, Amy and I decided to get a King Charles Cavalier; we named him Henry, fitting for a King.

Turns out he was a lazy King who loved to sleep, snore, and eat all the things he wasn’t supposed to, including belts, shoes, gum, and chocolate. Despite these shortcomings, he was a great dog.

Yesterday, he passed away, and it hurt more than I expected. (I added a picture of us at the bottom.)

However, while he was alive, I didn’t value him enough. It reminded me of a powerful idea: “The value of something after losing it is often higher than when you had it.”

You don’t always realize how much something means…until it’s gone. So why not value it more, while you still have it?

• That job you are complaining about, you would miss. Find joy in it more.

• The school work you don’t like, you will miss being in school. Find joy in it.

• The workout you don’t want to do, will make you feel better. Find joy in it.

• The dinner you hate making, other people need it. Find joy in it.

Today, find joy in something that deep down, you know you’d miss if it disappeared.

And if there is someone or something you’re grateful for, show it. Now, while you still can.

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