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The following is an excerpt from author of “Blue Like Jazz” Donald Miller’s blog: author of “Blue Like Jazz” Donald Miller’s blog:
Intro: While I’m working on another project, my dog Lucy has taken over the blog…
When I was younger, people liked me more. I couldn’t go on a walk without people pulling their cars over to pet me. I love people so I didn’t mind, but after a while Don took me mostly down backstreets so I could get some exercise. As I got bigger, people didn’t stop as much, but I didn’t notice.
That’s one of the differences between people and dogs, you know.
People think they are their bodies, that they are how they look, and they get sad when they don’t get noticed as much, but they aren’t their bodies, they are something else.
People have to have categories and definitions for things so they make things up, they pretend they are their bodies or they are their personalities, but really they are something else that doesn’t have an explanation. Dogs understand this very well because we understand just what we are supposed to understand and nothing more.
People think Dog’s believe lies and that makes us cute, but the truth is people believe more lies than dogs.
But the lies people believe don’t make them cute. They are cute without the lies. They were cuter before the lies got told and before they believed the lies. Dogs don’t cover up their bodies because dogs don’t know they have bodies at all, unless somebody pets their hind end.
I love my body. I love when Don pats my belly, or when he gets down on the floor and tackles me with his head. I love tackling his head with my paws, or when he takes my legs out like a cow and I bite his arms and whip around and pin him to the floor. The only thing we are really given a body for is as a way to connect with other people and for swimming. It’s how we touch, or tell people we are smiling, or tell people we are crying, or parallel the connecting of our souls. It’s a sad thing people know they have bodies.
It’s a sad thing they believe they are their bodies. It’s a sad lie.
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So the next time you find yourself judging yourself or others based upon outward appearance, remember we are SO much more than that! To think that the state of our bodies defines who we are is indeed a sad, sad lie.
(in case you were wondering, that adorable pooch in the picture is my dog Eddie)
To read more from Donald Millers blog, click here.
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Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash
Lauren is the Founder and Editor of Libero. She started Libero in April 2010, when she shared her story about her struggles with an eating disorder and depression. Now Lauren uses her writing and videos to advocate mental health and body positivity. In her spare time, she enjoys makeup artistry, playing Nintendo, and taking selfies with her furbaby, Zoey.
SITE DISCLAIMER: The opinions and information shared in this article or any other Content on our site may not represent that of Libero Network Society. We hold no liability for any harm that may incur from reading content on our site. Please always consult your own medical professionals before making any changes to your medication, activities, or recovery process. Libero does not provide emergency support. If you are in crisis, please call 1-800-784-2433 or another helpline or 911.
