🐶"Do We Have To?"

Wednesday Inspiration

The other day I was walking my dogs on our usual route. I had things I wanted to get done at home, so I decided we were only going to do a medium walk. I felt like I was being generous given that the weather wasn't the greatest. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't great.

We finally reached that point where I had predetermined we would turn around. So, I stopped and said, “Okay fellas, it's time. Let's head back home.”

They stood there and looked at me.

I repeated myself.

Still, they just stood and looked.

I turned around and started to head the other way. I reached the end of the leashes…and nothing.

They just stood there and looked at me unwilling to move.

My boys obviously wanted to keep going. They did not want to go back home.

I felt a bit frustrated. Then, I took a breath and thought to myself…

“It's not a bad day out. We haven't been walking as much as we had been when the weather was really nice. I don't have any pressing meetings”…

…which led me to…

“Why exactly is it more important for me to go home than it is for me to take them on a longer walk so they can enjoy their day a bit more?”

I had no good answer. So, I said to them, “You want to keep going?”

Suddenly, they kicked into gear, and off they went.

Seeing their joy on the rest of the walk and knowing that I had brightened their day made getting home a few minutes later well worth it.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in ourselves, even to the point of getting trapped there. Don't be afraid to let others—whether family, friends, complete strangers, or even animal companions—draw you out of yourself to share in the joy of their lives.

It will enhance your own joy and brighten your day.

Peace, Bo
The Evolving Christian Faith Network

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