The “C” word

“C” as in cat… This is “Gray”. She was our $7 adoption kitten… A week after we brought her home, her eye swelled up and… she quickly became our $1000 adoption kitten.

Yeah, that happened. My husband and I are firm believers in – if you bring an animal into your family, it’s yours – forever. So we did what Gray needed to have done and moved on. She never even missed a beat after losing her eye.

It is pretty incredible how we adapt to physical change. That we can move forward and if willing, have a full and manageable life. Sure, you may be different and have to find a new normal, it all goes back to attitude. Not questioning why something happened, but reflecting on how God will use the new you.

People see strength. Even if you feel like you don’t have any today, the fact that you are pushing through is strength in itself. Here is the key to a productive strength – smile. I know many are in terrible pain and the last thing one may be thinking about is SMILING!

What does a smile really even do? Well, right where you are, right now, smile. It changes something, your face, your attitude, even if only for a moment. You know how when you call an office and the person on the other end of the phone may not be um, pleasant? Think about when you call an office and someone is. You can actually feel it through the airwaves if someone is smiling on the other end of the line. And it’s contagious.

I learned a long time ago that we never know what someone we encounter in a check out line is going through. I made it a point to be and to look patient and to smile. You don’t have to try hard to look patient if you really are. Remember me talking about putting on patience every day? It’s an action. After awhile its as routine as putting on your shoes. It took time to learn how to tie your laces, right? Smile on.

If I say ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile’  -Job 9:27