Just a Dog

A friend of mine just sent me the below article which rings so true for me. So I share it here on my blog and I hope Richard Biby, the creator of the article, doesn’t mind. 

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or,
“that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”
They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for “just a dog.”  
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”  
Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,”
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog”
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phrases like
“just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”
“Just a dog” brings into my life the  very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog”, I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that some day they can understand that it’s not“just a dog”,
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man or woman.”  

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog” just smile… because they “just don’t understand.”

by Richard Biby Tulsa, Oklahoma Contributing Editor VHD

Passion and Purpose … Ingredients for a Fulfilling Life

Sometimes you just don’t know where inspiration comes from. I didn’t ask for any specific inspiration but it came to me yesterday, on October 12, 2007 while I was cleaning my home. I was just dusting off the coffee table in our living room while the TV was running. Charles Gibson from ABC News reported on the person of the week, Darrell Watson. Mr. Watson is the Band Director of the Ballou High School Majestic Marching Knights in Southeast Washington, D.C.They talked about his voluntary position and how he impacts the lives of all the high school kids. They also reported that only 30% of high school seniors from Washington DC go to college, however all the kids from Watson’s marching band were accepted into college. He was telling the reporter that he was a member of the marching band when he was young and this is his way of giving back. While listening to his story I felt the goosebumps raising on my skin. Wow, what an awesome opportunity! Making such a difference in children’s lives. It didn’t sound glorious, it didn’t sound easy but it sounded very rewarding. How many people do you know that make such a difference in people’s lives; either through their profession or through voluntary work? Isn’t that what life is all about? Having an impact on others? While I was moving my cleaning supplies to my bathroom I kept thinking about this report. What was it about this report that had such an impact? Why did I get goose bumps?

It became clear to me that I missed this kind of impact in my life. As a coach for physicians I know that I make an impact on their lives but then again, I don’t take responsibilities for their actions. And even though I tremendously enjoy my work as a coach, it isn’t my complete passion.

It became clear to me in this moment that I want to get more out of life. And I thought, what am I truly passionate about and if there was a way to live my passion what could I do?

I didn’t come up with the answer but I promised myself that I would be open to insights and ideas that would come my way.  

• What do you feel passionate about?
• How fulfilled do you feel?
• What kind of impact do you have on others and would you like to have more?
• What makes your heart sing?