Paying Attention

Paying attention. 

Author Emily P. Freeman describes her job as a writer in this way:

“My job even before writing is to pay attention.”

Regardless, of whether you consider yourself a writer or not, her words can be helpful.

It’s only through paying attention that we notice what needs to be done. Paying attention allows us to embrace the inspiration that is placed along our path. 

If we are too busy or too distracted then we just might miss our purpose in that moment. 

As I reflected on the idea of paying attention I knew that it related to writing my blog. When I’m not paying attention I find myself struggling to come up with ideas.

If I haven’t read something new, or visited a new place, or talked with a stranger, chances are that my well of ideas have run dry. However, when I’m aware of what I’m listening to, watching or reading then ideas seem to flow like water. 

As you make your way through your day pay closer attention to what is right before your eyes, so you don’t overlook the importance of that moment, and the treasures it may bring. 

Inner Peace

Inner Peace

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”

Dalai Lama

I wish I had taken these words to heart long ago. 

How often have I allowed what someone else has said or done to determine how I would react? How often have I lashed out instead of responding peacefully when others’ behavior have pushed a button?

What I am finding, though, is that I am primarily responsible for my actions, and how I respond to others. In saying this, though, I do believe that often times my actions have fallen short, and that I should expect more of myself, especially if my actions lead to another’s exasperation. 

However, in allowing my inner peace to be determined by the actions of another, then I am in reality choosing to give that person more power than they should be allowed. 

I learned a valuable lesson from my son-in-law the other day when he handled a potentially volatile situation with grace and understanding. Where my first reaction would have been to snap, he waited until he could interject a “cooler heads prevail” mentality, and it made all the difference. 

We will always be exposed to moments in time when our inner peace is challenged. If we rise to the occasion then perhaps we can make things better for both parties involved. 

Don’t Count Your Chicks

Don’t count your chicks. 

While my former co-workers were beginning their school year with Convocation at The Star in Frisco, I was sitting in Euless City Hall learning about backyard chickens. 

Now I’m really not planning on having chickens in my backyard, as I don’t think my HOA would allow it. However, even if I could have chickens, I could only have two so as not to exceed the total number of four animals per household per city ordinance. 

However, since Brittany has been raising chickens I wanted to learn a little more about poultry life, and perhaps someday when Chuck retires and we move closer to Brittany and her family, we might entertain the idea.  

One interesting thing I learned about chickens is that they are basically on the bottom of the food chain. Pretty much anything that eats meat can make a meal out of chickens. Having a permanent structure that can provide shelter is critical, and even then there is no guarantee that your feathered friends won’t meet an untimely end. 

The other interesting thing I learned about chickens from both my daughter and my friend Michele is that fresh chicken eggs do not need to be refrigerated as long as they have not been washed. They can last for at least a month before needing refrigeration.

Brittany has raised her hens from baby chicks and is now beginning to reap the fruit of her labor. The girls can be found roaming freely during the cooler part of the day happily gobbling up grasshoppers. One evening Brittany was late in putting them up, and was surprised to find them all contentedly hanging out in their coop. 

In fact, anytime they sense danger they hightail it back to the coop. Recently they replaced their make-shift coop with an upscale real coop. Being creatures of habit, just like humans, they weren’t too happy about the change. 

It’s been a few days now, and I’m hoping they’ve all settled into their new digs. 

Accepting Your Nature

Accepting your nature.  

As I reflected on my recent art class experience, and my frustration at both not drawing well, and not handling it with grace, I kept coming back to this comment from my favorite high school teacher:

“Your frustration at less than perfection is just who you are and will take much more than an attempt at a new skill or two to overcome.”

She is correct. Perfectionism is in my nature, and pretending it’s not won’t just make it go away. 

As I contemplated that I probably would not return to the art center for another class I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed in myself.

There seemed to be a misalignment between the person I aspired to be and the person I was. 

Recently I read an article by Michael Simmons about incorporating the Five-Hour Rule into your week to increase learning. 

He recommends doing small experiments as part of the learning process. “Whether or not an experiment works, is an opportunity to learn and test your ideas.”

I’m reframing my art center experience as an experiment; an experiment that didn’t go quite as I had hoped. Now some of my next artistic ventures might happen in the safety of my own home, but I’m not giving up on perhaps venturing out and trying another class. 

The Encouraging Word

The Encouraging Word

If there was one thing you could do to help someone out, and it really didn’t require much effort or preparation would you do it?

Well I think most of you would say, “Of course!”

Believe it or not, simply offering encouragement to someone else is priceless. 

When we are struggling we may think our situation is unique, and we may find ourselves alone. However, the beauty of life is that we all share a common humanity. 

What that means is that we have had common struggles as well as common joys. When we reach out to another, even in the simplest of ways we can start a chain reaction. 

The smile offered to a stranger, might result in that stranger holding the door open for the next person they come across. 

A kind word on Facebook, a phone call or text are all ways of making connections with others. 

Look for ways that YOU can offer encouragement. Plant those seeds, and they will come back when you are in need. 

Who can you encourage today?

“Therefore encourage one another, and build one another up...”

1Thessalonians 5:11

A Cat Tale

A Cat Tale

Have you ever wondered how people come up with a business idea? Today being an entrepreneur is a legitimate way to make a living limited only by your lack of imagination. 

Recently, I visited a very unique place with an interesting business model. As I thought about how it came to be I couldn’t help but imagine the following scenario:

Cat Lover One: “I’ve always wanted to have my own business.” 

Cat Lover Two: “Me too!  I’m so tired of working for someone else.  Hey maybe we should go into business together?”

Cat Lover One: “That’s a great idea, but what could we do?”

Cat Lover One: “Why don’t we open a little Cat Boutique, and sell all kinds of cat merchandise?”

Cat Lover Two: “That’s a great idea, and wouldn’t it be fun to have an actual cat roaming around the place like a mascot?”

Cat Lover One: “Yah, kind of like that library cat I read about in the book Dewey.

I love that idea!”

Cat Lover Two: “Cat lovers can never resist loving on a cat when they get the chance.” 

Cat Lover One: “I know! The only thing better than one cat is two. Wait a second why do we have to stop at two? What if we had a whole room full of cats? Do you think people would pay money to get to hang out with them?”

Good question Cat Lover One, because guess what? YES they will!  In fact, I bet you money that on a half-priced Friday where it’s only $5.00 a person you’ll have a whole room full of cat lovers hanging out with their feline friends. 

Yes, readers that’s exactly what happened last Friday at the Casual Cat Cafe in Richland Hills, Tx. I spent about thirty minutes checking out an assortment of kittens to cats, and enjoyed every minute of it.  

Several families were also there allowing their kids to play with and entertain the abundance  of cats and kittens. I laughed as I thought about how my youngest grandson would have been in cat heaven. Unfortunately, he likes to hold them upside down, and after reading a full page of rules, I don’t think they would have allowed him in for the safety of the cats. 

However, I may see a return visit in the future. 

Who would have thought that people would pay money to hang out with a bunch of cats? I have to hand it to the creativity of the owners. 

Coexisting

Coexisting.

As I was walking through my house the other day, I couldn’t help but notice the accommodations I have made for my furry companions.  

In an effort to keep my cat off the dining room chairs, I have placed dryer sheets on all chairs except one. I have covered one of my big Captain’s chairs with a towel to provide a comfy spot for her majesty. Of course, we still play a game of musical chairs occasionally when the dryer sheets begin to lose their fragrance.

In my living room another towel covers the one upholstered chair there to help prevent it from being covered in cat hair. I still have to keep an eye out for the cat when she begins to rub against any piece of furniture in that room, because I don’t want that love fest to end up with telltale bite marks on my furniture.

Now the next two accommodations pertain to both furry members of our household, so Cooper doesn’t get a pass here. For some unknown reason on occasion they have been guilty of using the rug in the front foyer as an emergency bathroom. My solution, besides keeping a better eye on them, is to cover the gorgeous rug with a thin flannel throw. Not exactly a Chip and Joanna moment here, but the blanket can be easily washed.

Now mind you that the cat actually has two litter boxes in the laundry room since our last trip to Galveston was a little longer than a weekend. I figured she’d choose one as her preference, but nooo, she continues to use both. 

In an effort to direct the cat to her litter box, and the dog to the backyard, I have also put up a baby gate to block entrance to the front office, have closed the guest room door completely, and only keep the powder bath door cracked. 

In addition to all of this I almost forgot that Cooper will only eat his food on carpet. So I diligently place his bowl each day between the recliner and the couch, and manage only to trip over it occasionally. 

Geez Louise this has gotten ridiculous! Of course, were these animals ever really intended to live inside?  Perhaps not, but today they basically rule the roost. 

Good thing I love them!