Simple Joys

I have a kitten I named Calico Callie. Watching her excitedly explore her new home is hugely entertaining.  She scampers, skips, and does cartwheels, all while discovering All. The. Things. She started out by hiding under a bookcase, too scared to emerge. First gradually, then quickly, she discovered that she was safe enough to look in every corner and check under every space. She’s even sat still enough in my lap to relax into tiny little purrs. What joy! 

So much to discover! Everything is new! Each new object is a toy! She hasn’t been around long enough to find everything blasé—there’s too much to be excited about!

She offers me joyful lessons on living in the moment. All I have is Now—is that Now going to be pure fun, or am I going to waste each Now in worry or anger or sadness? Baba Ram Dass always reminded people to ‘be here now’. That simple wisdom is exemplified in the everyday actions of my kitty.

Today, I will not hold back from experiencing the joy of having life. I won’t be doing any somersaults or cartwheels, but I’ll see things with a fresh outlook. I will stop to listen to the birds sing. I’ll completely enjoy my meals. I’ll endeavor to see things with fresh vision. I will take my lessons from Miss Callie, all while watching her hone her kitty skills.

Today, I am grateful for such simple joys.