Today, I would like to share a lesson on attitude from two dogs and one cat. \u00a0On one memorable morning, the \u201cline-up\u201d was in the kitchen waiting to be fed at 8:30 a.m.\u00a0 The poodle sat quietly while I put on the water for tea and started coffee for John. \u00a0Translation from the poodle: \u201cOh good.\u00a0 You\u2019re up. I know you have lots to do this morning and I\u2019ll wait patiently by your side until you have time to feed me.\u201d \u00a0The cat, however, had a completely different attitude. \u00a0He managed to wrap himself around my feet with every move, demanding attention by \u201cmeowing\u201d loudly. Translation from Merlin the cat: \u201cWhat do you mean you slept until 8:30 a.m. Really!\u00a0 Humans are so unreliable. \u00a0Feed me now or I\u2019ll trip you. And while I am at it, I\u2019ll make sure you land in my empty food bowl.\u201d \u00a0 As for dog Ratso, she was still asleep. Smartest one of the bunch, I\u2019d say, although the cat would never agree.<\/p>\n
I would like to think that I am more like Oscar was on this particular morning \u2013 giving, forgiving, patient, easygoing and unassuming. \u00a0Alas, I find myself many times to be an inconsistent and mixed bag of emotion with responses too often dependent on internal and external influences, including the close proximity of a favored glass of iced tea.\u00a0 It is not that I do not know the value of a stable attitude, but rather the sheer fact that imperfection requires that I live as a work in progress.\u00a0 At sixty, I am still learning how to do life better and this alone is reason for hope and celebration.<\/p>\n
Even Oscar is inconsistent as evidenced by growls of discontent when he is forced to move from a favorite position in a chair or forced to relinquish a favorite toy.\u00a0 The most consistent one has always been the cat who is always superior in every way.\u00a0 Just ask any cat.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, the unpredictability of life is truly part of its charm and includes our reactions during the journey.\u00a0 Life may be a motley boat to sail, but it is certainly not boring and without the element of surprise.\u00a0 Just maybe, a few tossed waves are needed to keep us engaged, to keep us alert and perhaps, even inspired.<\/p>\n
Now, where is the glass of iced tea?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today, I would like to share a lesson on attitude from two dogs and one cat. \u00a0On one memorable morning, the \u201cline-up\u201d was in the kitchen waiting to be fed at 8:30 a.m.\u00a0 The poodle sat quietly while I put on the water for tea and started coffee for John. \u00a0Translation from the poodle: \u201cOh […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[695,696,697],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-favorites","category-feed-your-spirit","category-live-with-purpose"],"yoast_head":"\n