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Blogs by Dr. Ronald D. Bissell
Being Thankful 9/18/2005 3:52:55 AM
In previous blogs I'm mentioned I adopted two Devon Rex kittens several months ago. For those of you not familiar with the Devon Rex breed they are described as pixies with pointed ears and a triangular face. They love people and are my wife and my constant companions. Rusty (our male) has bonded with me while Mica (our female) has bonded with my wife. They follow us every moment of the day unless of course they are sleeping like little angels getting ready for their next adventure.
They live a simple life of sleep, play, and eating. Of course, eating is a big priority in their lives. They scamper and scurry all over our house in places you would never think a cat could go but they go relentlessly. They are gentle and kind and are always willing to have their bellies rubbed or sit on your lap enjoying a rubdown that could last hours. When we come home they greet us at the door with their squirrel like vocalizations letting us know they are pleased we have returned.
It is their moments of quiet that strike me and cause me to think of my life and the lives of those I meet. They sit, lay, or stretch with the utmost care. As they walk in places you'd rather not see them walk they do it with such care and trust. They lack fear but have boundless curiosity. Everything they do makes life an experience that is lived each moment without regret.
They have taught me thankfulness for the simple things of life. A piece of cellophane can bring joy or a small snack can bring out the kitten in them. It doesn't take much to please such innocent beings. Why is it so difficult for humans to experience life as freely as the gift it is given in grace? Why can't we simply be and enjoy the incredible opportunity being alive presents to us?
Instead of being thankful we become victims or allow others to cause us pain by our own private thoughts. We feel that we are owed something by society and can't see the roadblocks we place before ourselves. We create our own worlds out of the surroundings we choose. Why can't we choose a surrounding that will foster our greatest potential and allow us to move forward with unselfish love?
The answers lie in the quiet solitude of my kittens. They live in the moment and don't worry about the past. They play, sleep, and give love to all who pass their way. They are innocent beings who never plot, steal, coerce, or intentionally hurt anyone or anything. They just are truly living each moment, each hour, each day.
I suggest we should learn from our friendly pets and become more instead of collecting more. We should live in the moment and learn from our past but then let it go and accept ourselves as we are so we can build a future instead of destroying a past that is gone forever. We should learn to be, simply be. We should meet the person we are instead of constantly doing something so we can't face that someone we see in the mirror. We should love ourselves so we will be able to love others. In doing this we will find our world will become gentler, kinder, and more at peace.
