I am an owner to two big dogs, and I can say that they have taught me a lot more than I have ever taught them through training. When I wake up in the morning and I go downstairs, my dog, Bella, a husky mix, greets me with so much enthusiasm and happiness. Her whole body wiggles, she smiles, and her tail wags like crazy. She runs to me, turns in circles, and leans against me for a hug. She does this every single morning of every single day.

Every time I come home, my dogs greet me with that same enthusiasm. Even if I am frustrated, in a bad mood, or upset, they are always happy to see me, always forgiving, always accepting, and always loving.

If you have ever owned a dog or been around a dog, you know that they live very simple lives. They eat, play, sleep, go outside, and repeat. They are curious, funny, and playful. Bella loves to look at the sunlight in my house and to follow the bees as they fly outside. One of the first things that owners have to know when training them is that dogs focus on what is right in front of them and live in the moment.

You might be wondering why I am talking about dogs, but they have taught me a very important lesson: love unconditionally and live in the present.

Loving unconditionally literally means "love without conditions." When we love unconditionally, we don't expect anything in return. We don't only love certain people or only the people that have been good to us. We do not judge, hold grudges, or make people feel like they must earn it. Unconditional love is sacrificial and free. When you love yourself freely, you are also free to love others unconditionally.

I often have trouble with loving others freely. It is especially hard to love someone who is has wronged me, but part of unconditional love is forgiveness. I have to remind myself that I am also sinful. Who am I to think that I deserve to be loved more than someone else? Who am I to judge someone else when I have done wrong things too?

These are the questions that lead to reflection and change.

Some people find it easy to live in the present, while others struggle every day. When our mind dwells in the future, we can face fears and anxieties. What if this happened? How will this go? Where will I be? When out mind dwells in the past, regrets, failures, and doubts take a hold. What if that had not happened? Why did I do that? Why didn't I do that?

So how do we learn to live in the present? I have found the answer to be in the little things, like stopping to smell the flowers, observing the world around me, and using all of my senses. Self-reflection and meditation have helped to ground my mind. I make a list of gratitudes and and journal my thoughts. Enjoy each moment with purpose, and develop a growth mindset to get through the tough times.

Just like Bella always reminds me, stay curious, love others, and focus on the light.

- M