Dave and Buddy

If you’re reading this, maybe it would help to stop and take a breath.

It’s easy to get so focused on something that we can forget to take a beat to step back and think about what we were trying to accomplish in the first place and whether or not we’re still on track.

You say that stopping to pet Buddy on campus helps your stress level. Great! But think about it. What do you do when you pet Buddy? You stop and you change your focus to a dog who asks nothing more than some attention for a few seconds. It calms you. Maybe you can see the big picture a little clearer and, if necessary, redirect what you’re doing.

They say it’s hard to see something when you get too close. Let me offer what Buddy and I see when we come to campus. We see a group of young adults who are intelligent, who are friendly, who are energetic, who are so funny, who are good to each other, who care, who are kind, who are welcoming…The point is you are good people. Sometimes you need to give yourself a break.

People out there care about you. Buddy and I care about you. Breathe.

Dave and Buddy, Clemson University

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