Congratulations, your dog is snoring.

Yes, this post is catered to those lucky dog owners out there... but hey, even if you don't share your living space with a four-legged creature of the canine variety, I hope there's still something that resonates with you here.

Hear me out for a second. Let's imagine you're sitting at home. It's nighttime in the middle of winter, and you're wearing an extra warm sweater, thick woolen socks (or like, generally warm socks), and maybe even a beanie because you're hip like that. You're scrolling through Instagram periodically, choosing what show to watch on Netflix, reading a few emails. Today was kind of a garbage day at work, and you're half tempted to eat a box of Whole Wheats and down a half bottle of wine for dinner. Things have been blah lately, but there's always one constant source of happiness ever present in your day-to-day. Hint: woof.

Your dog is sound asleep on the floor just feet from you. From where you're sitting, you can watch their rib cage expand and contract with each breath. They are so deep in sleep that one leg involuntarily twitches, as if it's a reaction to their dream. They snore - loudly. This snore is one you've heard many times before. You even took them to the vet, because you were convinced a dog could only snore that loud if they had a deviated septum or sleep apnea (vet gave the all clear).

It's easy for us to go through the motions of the day without actually observing much - at least for me. Sometimes I kind of 'do' my day without really 'living' it. There's so much going on around me, and I am absolutely oblivious to it, because I'm in my own head. I'm on autopilot. Can you relate?

What if we were to STOP for a moment and try to observe our life? What if we take a moment to smell those roses, to soak up a minute's sunshine, to do some light stretching... to listen to our dog snoring? As the saying goes, it's the little things.

Why am I harping on the importance of your dog's snoring? What is the significance? This isn't a trick question, but I'm also not looking for the answer, "It's because Chuckie has big nostrils." Poor Chuckie... No, for me, when your beloved pup is so deep in sleep and begins to snore, it's because you have created a safe space.

Think about it: any human, dog, or other living being will only fall into a deep, snore-filled sleep if they feel safe to do so. Your dog's snores are the result of a safe environment in which they can rest - an environment that you created.

I wish you could remember the positive impact you have on this world by simply existing. By being yourself, you are doing so much more good than you realize. Here in a basic, perhaps silly example, you have created safety for your dog - a living being with emotions and fears and hopes. As you move through this life of yours, you are giving love.

I know that sometimes it feels like we aren't doing enough, like we aren't good enough or skinny enough or pretty enough or sexy, or funny, smart, appealing, talented, worthy. It is absolutely heart wrenching to feel incomplete or less than. I see you; I hear you; I feel you. But goddamn, please remember - at least for this moment - that your existence is a comfort to others, and it is something unique and beautiful.

So next time you hear your dog snoring, do me a favor: congratulate yourself. You deserve a little appreciation.