I Never Wanted a Big Dog

I never wanted a big dog

Only small dogs would do

They were ALWAYS shedding, stinky, and slobbery

Until...I spent time with one

Who is a charming, loving cuddler

Maybe I'll get a big dog

I had a long list of nevers.

Things I'd never do.

Things I'd never forgive.

Places I'd never go or live.

People I'd never connect with.

And then life presented me with opportunities to challenge my rules. To shift from the never-only-always mindsets to the opening that is found in the maybe.

Our hearts are often hardened to things that we don't know. We are certain that we can't see them through a different lens.

Until we meet the refugee and hear their story -

Until your child has the courage to tell you that they are gay -

Until your beloved reveals a drug addiction -

Until you see the morality of someone from a different religion -

Until that situation that you didn't understand at all suddenly becomes part of your own life.

I'm grateful for the times that life turned my perspective upside down.

A world of never, only, and always is so small.