THE FRISBEE

I drive each morning through Branch Brook Park in Newark New Jersey to get to my office. Although it is a pleasant drive, like anything else it can become monotonous. There is one exciting thing I wait to see every day. It is a woman who walks her German shepherd through the park. Every time I see the dog, he can be seen carrying a Frisbee in his mouth. He is not playing with it or running after it, all he is doing is carrying it along with him. You could tell that this Frisbee is his favorite thing in the world by the look on his face. Not only is he out with his human companion, but also he is lucky enough to have this prized possession with him.

I wish I could say that I see him every day, but I do not. When I do, the first thing I wait to see is the look on his face carrying his Frisbee. I actually slow down the car to get a good look at him. One day I started to think why seeing this dog was so important and then it dawned on me. He is taking a simple pleasure in life and letting it make his day. He is a very content individual with one very insignificant, very inexpensive item that brings him the greatest joy. So then I realized that I admired him for this because I am normally caught up with so many "important" issues each day that I fail to recognize the Frisbees in my life that could accomplish the same pleasure as it does for my friend. As we approach Christmas the materialistic society we live in is in its typical frenzy. Many families will have more presents than they know what to do with.

I am sure we can all relate to this very special dog and his even more special lesson on life. It is often the simple pleasures that bring the most joy. My friend in the park can be given due credit for teaching us this.

What "Frisbee" can you focus on a little more to bring you lasting happiness? Maybe it's the dog that can carry it.

Deacon Joe Dwyer

Copyright Mary Cody. All rights reserved.

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