By Dave Markwell
I just watched my little dog squat in the wind and rain and deposit a tootsie roll on the lawn.
Upon completion, she bounded off to seek adventure in other areas of the yard before coming upstairs and back inside the cozy house. She has a nice life. She’s old, but energetic when she wants to be. She’s needy, but independent. She doesn’t require much for her comfort. Frankly, I’m jealous.
Pooping in the yard notwithstanding (though, not a deal-breaker), I think I could handle her life pretty well. She doesn’t have to concern herself with much. Someone feeds her (me), and bathes her (me – sometimes), provides her a warm, comfortable home (me), and opens the door for her to go outside for bathroom breaks and sniffing things (me and others). She has no bills or responsibilities, and she has a servant. She’s pretty well set. She would like to be able to open the fridge, and maybe use the stove, but you can’t have it all.
Marinating in my jealousy, I look at my life versus hers and draw some lines. She has everything she could want, except choice. I select her food and decide if she gets a taste of my yummy dinner or not (she usually does). I clip her nails and fur. I open the door to her bathroom. She’d be pretty screwed without me.
On the other hand, I can do anything I want. Really. Anything. My life is a choice or a result of my choices. And, so is yours. We can eat what we want, when we want- go where we want, when we want. These things are not without cost, but we get to decide what’s worth paying for. We pay for things we want with choice and time – hours clocked at work, building relationships, reading books, exploring ideas, eating pretty-good hummus instead of delicious clam dip, and thinking big thoughts instead of little ones.
So, while I wouldn’t mind someone serving me each meal or bathing me, I wouldn’t trade free will for it. I’m too selfishly in love with choice. The thoughtful exploration of life’s dance inspires me. Though my feet get tangled, and my head bob can get a little awkward, it’s my dance. I choose the music. We all choose our music. So, find something that moves your hips. Enthusiastic hips are not a crime.
Photo credit: Robin Malmanger
Dave Markwell is a life-long Des Moines liver and lover. Former owner of Waterland CrossFit and the Waterland Arcade, Dave uses his unique story-telling voice to help small businesses tell a better story, and his love for people to help folks live bigger and better lives. For more info, check out his website: wordsbydave.net
