Nose Dives & Predators

Have you ever seen a bird challenge a cat?

Often times I miss my cats. I say my cats not because I believe they are my cats, but for the ease of conversation. I really believe that it's more like we are their humans. And, if you know me, you know that animals play a larger role in my life than do many other things and leaving my cats was one of the hardest things I have ever done. So, when I see the furry feline friends I find myself watching, gazing and admiring them. I find that animals tell us exactly what is going on with us at exactly the right time. They act as a sort of mirror in a way, shedding light on our lives.

This morning I had the great privilege of being reminded of my kitty Timmie. Timmie was one of those cats that owned the place. She was large and in charge. She had long hair and her coloring looked like a tuxedo. She lived on our three acres with a sense of entitlement and pride. She was a skilled huntress and while she carried a few extra pounds she could run like the wind if she had to.

Thoughts of her were running through my mind when I looked out of my big window in the back room this morning and saw a beautiful black cat walking through our yard. The kitty seemed to be walking toward our bird fountain to get a drink of water. She slowly sauntered with her ears pointed slightly back, looking a bit agitated. And then, seemingly out of nowhere came a small grey and white bird chirping loudly and aiming right for the cat! This tiny bird would fly from a tree branch, nose dive toward the cat and barely miss the fur on her tail. She did this over and over again for many minutes. For a moment I watched as the story unfolded.

And while I was watching I remembered that birds used to do this to Timmie...right after she snatched their eggs from the nest. You see, Timmie didn't really play fair when it came to hunting. Anything was fair game. So when I realized that this bird had the same kind of force and urgency that the birds who hunted Timmie had, I knew that something unpleasant must have happened. This birdie was NOT happy. For me, I didn't need to know the whole story. I just knew that this cat represented something threatening or menacing to the bird and this bird was not just going to take it. This bird was not going to back down or fly away to a safe place. She was going to stay and fight.

So it got me to thinking. If something as delicate and small as a bird has the courage to challenge a fierce black cat five times her size, what might I have the courage to do? What situation or person or place or thing in my life presents itself as a predator that I want to challenge? Do I have the same kind of courage as that little bird?

Well, I believe I do...and I might as well get started. What's first on my list? That's a different question.

What I really want to know is where do I learn to nose dive?

Mirrors Mirrors Everywhere

So, I’ve been missing my cats lately. For more than one reason…Because I’m a firm believer that my environment mirrors what is going on in my internal world, I would often watch my cute little kitties doing their daily routines (which you may have heard me mention). I can’t tell you how many times my little kitty Stuart would start sneezing and within a day or two I noticed my immune system suffering. I feel in so many ways that I have forgotten this part of my daily reflection now that I don’t have my pets with me.

So, I was pondering this very thing while I was sitting in my car this afternoon at a stoplight. Today is a rainy day. Not the depressing kind, but the kind that makes you feel refreshed. The kind of rain that feels like a big glass of water after you are on a long hot hike. So, I’m sitting in my car, listening to the rain because I’ve decided to stop listening to the endless radio personalities all predicting the downfall of America. I’m listening to the drops of rain and my windshield wipers and feeling the warmth of the heater on my toes. Suddenly, my car, who I’ve named Bubbles, begins to sputter a little bit. And, at the same time the jeep beside me revs her engine. There’s no place to go, it is a red light…and I start thinking, is this symbolic of my life at all? Am I stopped at a red light while simultaneously sputtering and revving my engine? Am I going nowhere in a quick way? Or am I just chomping at the bit to GO when the signals turns green?

The point of my story is that I truly want to start remembering my environment as a reflection of who I am and what is going on. Not just animals but everything around me. All of it.

And, while I’m at it I may want to add that the people in my life are also a reflection. Uh oh.

Eyes…it’s time to stay open and take it all in.