For the sake of my physical and emotional well-being, I’ve decided to strive for something I call Modified Cat.
Why Cat? Because they have no problem saying, “This is what I need right now.” Cheeto says it all the time. He’ll park himself on the floor beside the spot on the couch where I’m comfortably reclining, stare at me with unblinking eyes, then give a little bob of his head. Translation: I need you to get up and follow me to an undetermined destination—likely my bowl or the kitchen door, which I like for you to open for me even though I have a perfectly serviceable cat door right beside it. Or he’ll pace back and forth across my computer keyboard. I know you think you need to write, but what you really need to do is brush me. Or he’ll fall asleep on my person as if I were his own personal body pillow. You might think you want to get up, but I need a nap and you’re way more comfortable than, well, anything . . .
Why Modified? Because I don’t want to be oblivious to the needs of everybody else. (And to Cheeto’s credit, he does seem to know when I’m feeling under the weather and can be quite the feline nurse when he wants to.)
I had little pop-up rebellions all day yesterday. My responsible self told me I needed to take a long walk. But my joints hurt and I’d rather take a short one, so there. My anxious self told me I needed to make some headway on my next book. But I haven’t figured out something I need to figure out before I start putting words on paper, and I really and truly just flat-out don’t want to write today. I could make up for the lost time if I told my parents I wouldn't be staying for Sunday lunch and came right back home after church. But I want to spend some time with them and enjoy a visit.
Modified Cat. Not so much selfish as a little more self-forgiving when there’s just too much coming at me. And I’ll remind myself that we all need rest—not just for a tired body but for a troubled mind or a weary spirit.
Come to Me,
all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
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