Gratitude, Perspective, and One Very Determined Cat

Gratitude, Perspective, and One Very Determined Cat

Gratitude has been on my mind lately, I guess, judging by my newsletter.

This week I was thinking about it in the context of perspective. I suspect there are times I could be more grateful for what is happening around me.

As you may recall, I recently discussed Mike Campbell’s new book Heartbreaker, and his focus throughout to “Stay Grateful,” and before that, I outlined Four Ways to Build Resilience Through Gratitude.

Now Fezzik has me thinking about it. Fezzik is our three-legged cat (named after Andre the Giant’s character in our family’s favorite movie, The Princess Bride), and he’s decided his favorite thing is to go outside.

Mind you, he’s not an outside cat and never has been. We got him at three months with a newly-amputated right front leg, and he hasn’t missed a beat: running, jumping, chasing the other animals…always inside.

Every now and then, his begging will move me to actually let him out (which I’m only willing to do because I can catch him).

Once outside, Fezzik immediately rolls around, scratching his back on our brick. He then makes a beeline for the grass, which he starts to eat.

Sigh. 

I then pick him up (too much grass-eating ends in cat vomit hours later) as he hisses at me, and life goes back to normal.

Meanwhile, our thirteen-year-old dog RickyBobby would love to never go outside again. It’s too hot. Or there’s a chance of rain. And the step is hard on him (and I’ve tried a ramp and smaller steps – which he refuses to use).

Whenever RickyBobby goes outside, Fezzik begins his complaints anew. And thirty seconds later, Ricky is back inside, thrilled to be done.

So in summary:

• Fezzik can’t believe how lucky RickyBobby is to be able to go out most anytime he wants
• RickyBobby can’t believe how lucky Fezzik is to use the bathroom inside (especially in the rain)

I think I’m like that at times. “I wish I was more like…” “If only I could be…” or whatever it might be. And there are probably others who would trade places with me, who think how good I must have it.

And they are right. I do. But I sometimes lose sight of that.

So…take a look around. I daresay there are plenty of things to be grateful for.

But don’t eat the grass.

Have a great day!

~ Nathan