Thinking Like I Do ~ 2


PERSPECTIVES
 ~2 ~
by JJ Schwartz

            As I awoke this morning and rolled over with one eye squinting at the time on the clock I heard the furnace growl awake and begin dispersing some warmth throughout the home. The coffee pot began emanating the entrancing aroma of the fresh brew.  At this time, I was given a choice. Face it or replace it? The later being somewhat of an impossible choice, I arose and began my morning routine preparing myself for yet another opportunity. As accustomed to tradition I will call it the “day” however I choose to view it as an opportunity.

            I assume that all of us face our day with differing thoughts. Some of you may have slumbered sweetly throughout the night and some of you may have danced the croppy-flop all night. The quality of our sleep patterns can alter even the grandest of personalities. I am sure you would all agree that sleepless nights carry over to days of short-tempers, impatience and an array of behaviors unbecoming of ones self. Excuse me please when I suggest that there are some folks out there that I reservedly wonder if they have ever slept a night in their life. They are the individuals whom we will usually avoid. If we see one walking down the street, we will change lanes, so-to-speak to avoid any contact. It is as though a cloud of negativity shrouds them and a whirlwind of debris repels anyone whom shall try to approach them.

            Remembering back in your youth, was there an individual in your community that had a reputation of being squeamishly scary? We had one in our neighborhood; we called him the “Cat-man”. He was tall and lanky with ragged clothing. He would walk down the street, never making eye contact with anyone. He always carried a bag back and forth. Rumor was that he would steal children, put them in his gunnysack and bring them back to his house. The children would never be seen again. The overabundance of fat cats surrounding his house were supposedly devouring the leftovers after the Cat-man was finished with his incomprehensible deeds.

            Now some of you may wonder how I have gone from “face it or replace it” to the Cat-man. How does this correlate with one’s choices upon awakening?  

            Changing lanes is not always smooth and it makes our desired goal quite the time consuming maze to achieve. Will you continually change lanes and avoid the whirlwind that repels? Or, will you use the opportunity to challenge yourself towards making a difference? We can choose what we think and believe, however perception is a talent to be learned.

            You see, the Cat-man was only carrying home his groceries, walking because he did not own an auto; alone because he had no relatives or friends; skinny because he could not afford good food; ragged because he had only the clothing that he had worn for years.

             I wish for the night to embrace you with sweet slumber.

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