15 Dec Bite off more than you can chew

The phrase “Bite off more than you can chew” brings to mind the image of an eager dog grabbing an oversized bone or a massive stick—one clearly too large for it to manage comfortably.

Yet, dogs rarely seem daunted by the size of their goal. With jaws straining and an almost comedic determination, they pull, gnaw, and wrestle with their chosen treasure, oblivious to the challenge they’ve set for themselves. This endearing, persistent behavior reflects a lesson for people: even if we “bite off” something ambitious, daunting, or even seemingly impossible, we can still approach it with determination, enjoyment, and perhaps even a bit of humor.

For dogs, the act of taking on a big task is rarely about the final victory; it’s about engaging fully in the effort, relishing each tug, every chew, and every small victory along the way. Through their persistence, dogs show us that even if we don’t “finish” the monumental challenge we set out to achieve, there is great value in the journey itself. They embody the joy of pushing boundaries, even if success isn’t guaranteed.

When people take on goals that seem too large—whether a difficult project, a new job, or a bold life change—the lesson from dogs is that facing these challenges with playfulness, persistence, and a willingness to take small, consistent bites can be both fulfilling and transformative. The dog’s tenacity reminds us to embrace big dreams without fear of failure, to savor the incremental progress, and to approach our oversized goals with the same enthusiasm that a dog might have for an impossibly big bone, knowing that even if we can’t finish it all, the effort is always worth it.