Dose of Reality

Hi Durtbagz.

After experiencing a big dose of reality this past weekend, I want to talk about how important it is to not take yourself, or others, too seriously. After all, that’s really what weird street signs and Durtbagz.com is all about.

This past weekend, I was in Chicago for an “American Cancer Society” walk, in honor of my dear friend and college roommate, Megan McBride Franz. In March of 2008, she was diagnosed with stage IV colo-rectal cancer. It had metastasized on her liver by the time they realized she had cancer. In a pretty unfair 10 month fight, she lost her battle this past January 4, 2009. Three weeks after she turned 31.

We came to raise money and show support.  I have to say, the support part seems much more important, at this point, than the money.

I’ve learned a lot of things from Megan. From how to properly use a beer bong, to how to not care that you are the first and only person dancing at the party. Unfortunately, the most important thing I learned came from losing her.

What I learned was: This is it.

This is all we get, right here. Did you wake up today? Awesome, you are now awarded one more day to do something. One more day to live. We’ll see about tomorrow, but right now is what you’re given to work with. This is it.

How do you want to waste it? Getting mad at someone who didn’t use their turn signal? (guilty). Correcting someone who said “funner” instead of “more fun”? (not guilty. that’s an asshole thing to do). Getting annoyed that you’re the one that cleans the bathroom all the time? (guilty).

Or how do you want to spend it? Feeling good. Personally, I’d like to spend my day feeling good. I’m not saying everyday you bounce out of bed, singing U2’s “Beautiful Day”. I am saying, wake up, excited to see what happens with your life today. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering, it can just be feeling good.

Laughing makes me feel good.

Whether it’s at a movie, at someone who definitely takes themselves too seriously, or myself, I love laughing. And I’m pretty good at it. To me, there is almost nothing better than laughing until you’re crying. I just have to remind myself of that, every once in a while. Because, really, getting caught up and taking myself or anyone else too seriously is just a drag and not how I want to use my time. It’s way more valuable to me than that, since I have no idea how much I’m getting.

After being around Megan’s family and my college friends this weekend, it woke me up (again) to this reality. Today is all I get. And I’d like to spend it feeling good.

Have you had your laugh today, Durtbagz?