It's My Party

It's an old song and I don't know the title or the artist or the context, but I do remember these lines:

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."

I'm not sure what brought those words to mind recently. It's an interesting statement -- especially if you remember that parties are suppose to be happy occasions. Why would you want to cry at a party? Better yet, why would you want to cry at all? That's not to say that there aren't times when a good cry does wonders. My take on those lines is that more than a choice to cry, it is a choice to be unhappy.

Confession. As much as I would like to be an optimist, I am a pessimist at heart. I am more likely to tell you why something won't work than why it can. My glass is half empty. My worries get the best of me and dictate how I feel.

I don't think it is 100% a choice. Biology and circumstances do impact us. But what if 50% were a choice? What if only 30% were a choice? What if only 10% were a choice? I wonder going into today that even if a fraction of my mood were a choice and I exercised the choice to choose to be happy and if not completely happy -- content -- how would that impact my day? How would it impact my relationships or my circumstances? My guess is I might feel even just a little bit less stressed.

I am writing this at 6:20 AM. It's not unusual for me to be headed out in next 30 minutes or so. What is unusual is that I'm finishing up 2 loads of laundry. So, I've been up for a while. I don't have kids, but I do have pets. I was awoken this morning by one of my dear ones retching on the bed. So, the sheets needed to be washed as well as a large blanket. No, it's not my idea of a great way to wake up and I was pretty frustrated. But I am going to choose to be an optimist today:

• I have a bed.
• I have 3 pets I wouldn't change for the world in spite of making me need to do laundry.
• I have a washing machine and dryer in my house.
• I have a house.
• I have a job.
• While I don't have everything I want, I do have what I need.
• I live in a country that affords me a host of freedoms.
• I have Jesus.

It's my party and I choose today to be happy.

Things That Pull My Gaze Away

Like children, my pets are often jealous for my attention. If one is getting a belly rub, they all want their bellies rubbed. Hadley, my beagle, is probably the worst for it. She can be curled up somewhere dozing and if she opens an eye and catches one of the cats on my lap, she is there in a instant trying to get on too. Usually, she bulldozes Katy or Mali off my lap.

At night, I usually go to bed and Hadley joins me. Eventually the cats will follow. I've noticed that I can be giving Hadley some great one-on-one time (practically a full body massage) and she will hear one of the cats come in and be instantly drawn into an unwanted game of chase. Her focus moves from enjoying my company to wondering what those silly kitties are up to.

I must confess, I think I am like that with God. It's so easy for things going on in this world to pull my gaze away from God.

I think it is a bit like Peter in chapter 21 of John. Jesus has died and risen. He shows up on the beach to cook breakfast for the disciples and then pulls Peter away for a much needed talk. Peter's attention is drawn away by one of the other disciples.

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus tells him not to worry about that disciple. It is none of his concern.

But I am just like Peter. I want to know, "What about so and so?" Or I say, "What about this situation? How is that going to work out?"

What I need to be doing is continuing to fix my gaze on Jesus and enjoy my time with Him.

Praying today that all of us would fix our gazes so firmly on Jesus that nothing will pull them away.

No Good At Waiting

I like to teach my pets tricks. Both cats (Katy and Mali) come when called. I've gone as far as to teach Mali to jump through a hoop. So, when I got Hadley (my floppy eared Beagle), she had to learn some things too. At first, it was sit, stay, come, down, etc. But as we moved into winter, I wanted to keep her engaged. We've attempted shake and rollover.

Recently, I've attempted to work on "take it" with her.

I'm posting today at the Internet Cafe. Click here to finish reading this post.

Smarter than a Cat?

I love my cats. I really do. However, they provide all kinds of unique challenges. Mali consistently runs off with all things soft. Katy has a weird (especially for a cat) obsession with water. Light weight bowls of water are batted so they go flying across the floor. Heavier bowls are tipped. Bowls in bases can be popped out! (I am not kidding!) The result is a consistently wet floor and socks.

Today I was in Peoria and went in to Pet Smart. I told one of the people working there my problem. She suggested super glue or one of the heavy water containers. Since I like to be able to clean the bowls, I thought I would pass on the super glue -- for now. I came home with a water fountain thing. (I'm not sure of the technical name.) Now, I have to wait and see how long it takes to have 3 gallons of water on my floor!

Here are the cats checking it out:

Katy (black and white) is usually the water spiller but also a bit more cautious about new things!

Mali wanted to see if she could tip 3 gallons. Thankfully, not yet!

40 to 40 (Gratitude 3)

I've always thought of myself as more of a dog person. I like the way they greet you at the door and follow you around. A few years ago I had a dog for awhile. She was an older dog that I found at the Humane Society. What no one realized was that she was also an anxious dog. The more attached she became to me, the more anxious she became when I would leave. After 6 months of trying everything imaginable, I talked to the local shelter. The reassured me that even with knowing about the anxiety problem, they could find her a home.

Tearfully, I took her back and made one of the volunteers promise to bring her a treat of peanut butter on toast. (That was my breakfast most mornings and I always gave her the last bit.)

A woman at the shelter suggested I try a cat. I was skeptical, but eventually I ended up with two very dog like cats. Katy and Mali both greet me at the door. They follow me from room to room and are a general nuisance when I am on the computer. They just can't get enough lap time.

But as you can see below, they are both cats and like most cats, they love their naps.

Katy

Mali

I am grateful for having them in my lives. They help give me balance and something soft to cuddle when I'm feeling blue. If only I could take them for walks! It might help motivate me to exercise more.

Do you have a pet that helps round out your life?