The other day I was taking my dogs out for their last potty break before going to bed. It was a miserable evening as the rain was really coming down hard. I put on my rain coat, and started the “leashing up process”. As I was getting Charlie, my black lab ready to go, my 16-year old terrier mix mutt Blondie decided she wasn’t going to wait.
She walked through the screen in the door (Now, how did THAT get there?) and proceeded to the top of the porch step just under cover. It was at that point she decided to do her duty, turn around and come back in. I guess a 16-year old dog has more wisdom than her 42-year old human owner. She wasn’t about to get wet, while Charlie and I got drenched.
So, what can we learn from Blondie? It didn’t take much analysis to determine that going down the stairs into the rain just to get her “job” done wasn’t necessary. She made a “command” decision and solved the problem at the least expense and effort, and still got the job done.
How many times do we fall victim of “analysis paralysis”? Sometimes, we may take an inordinate amount of time to make a decision that was staring us in the face all the time. Instead of using our wisdom and acting, we waste time, energy, and money in over-analyzing. Sometimes, we lose an opportunity because of it! If you’re like me, you have been guilty of this.
I’ve learned that my old dog can teach me new tricks. This was a good example. Granted, I will continue to use the acceptable human way to go to the bathroom; Blondie’s method of decision-making was not lost on me!
Are you procrastinating on a beginning something in your faith life? Is it reading the Bible, praying the rosary as a family, or making a religious pilgrimage, to somewhere like The Grotto in Portland, OR? What’s keeping you from getting started? Take a lesson from Blondie and don’t wait any longer. You won’t be sorry.
Dan
P.S. My daughter Mindy and I head for Franciscan University in Steubenville on Wednesday. We’re catching a red-eye out of Seattle and land in Pittsburgh the next morning (yawn). If you are interested in our adventures, please check in on this blog as I will be keeping a daily journal, hopefully including pictures. Please pray for our safe journey and we will keep you in our prayers.
She walked through the screen in the door (Now, how did THAT get there?) and proceeded to the top of the porch step just under cover. It was at that point she decided to do her duty, turn around and come back in. I guess a 16-year old dog has more wisdom than her 42-year old human owner. She wasn’t about to get wet, while Charlie and I got drenched.
So, what can we learn from Blondie? It didn’t take much analysis to determine that going down the stairs into the rain just to get her “job” done wasn’t necessary. She made a “command” decision and solved the problem at the least expense and effort, and still got the job done.
How many times do we fall victim of “analysis paralysis”? Sometimes, we may take an inordinate amount of time to make a decision that was staring us in the face all the time. Instead of using our wisdom and acting, we waste time, energy, and money in over-analyzing. Sometimes, we lose an opportunity because of it! If you’re like me, you have been guilty of this.
I’ve learned that my old dog can teach me new tricks. This was a good example. Granted, I will continue to use the acceptable human way to go to the bathroom; Blondie’s method of decision-making was not lost on me!
Are you procrastinating on a beginning something in your faith life? Is it reading the Bible, praying the rosary as a family, or making a religious pilgrimage, to somewhere like The Grotto in Portland, OR? What’s keeping you from getting started? Take a lesson from Blondie and don’t wait any longer. You won’t be sorry.
Dan
P.S. My daughter Mindy and I head for Franciscan University in Steubenville on Wednesday. We’re catching a red-eye out of Seattle and land in Pittsburgh the next morning (yawn). If you are interested in our adventures, please check in on this blog as I will be keeping a daily journal, hopefully including pictures. Please pray for our safe journey and we will keep you in our prayers.
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