The more things change the more they stay the same.

History has a way of repeating it self. The roller coaster of life that cheerily goes up and down and up and down challenges us with vociferous reminders that we can all do better. Be our. Best selves.

If life is the highway we ride all night long, when do we rest, call it a day,

Put the phone down.

With 24/7 coverage of all life’s news on a loop, when do we rest, take it easy, take a chill pill in order to help,

Turn it all off.

We are connected in ways long and longer and we simply have come to a place where we cannot break the chain. The bigger question is how do we tell our brains to

”Stop it.”

Huh?

Yeah. Now, hopefully I have your attention. Our attentions spans have disappeared and we all have this glossy, dazed look in our eyes.

Time flies and I found myself in the retail box building yesterday looking at Christmas trees, elf’s, and holiday decorations.

Where did the time go? Where did this year go?

I dunno.

I was too busy just trying to make it through the endless days or so I thought.

A horrible thought entered my mind of why was I dragging around my days instead of living them. Living them to the fullest?

Because.

I’m tired.

Of thinking about “ it” all.

Did they win.

Nope.

But neither am I.

The constant state of heightened awareness got to me in small ways and large ways. Before I knew it, people were looking at me pointing fingers and laughing—“Look what the cat dragged in.”

It was me.The one dragged in. While my head was in so many places, trying to right wrongs with a ricochet passion of “I can get it done.” I’m really was only half-a**ing my day in an effort to make it through the day.

Let me tell you, that is no way to live.

My advice to you, is if you are feeling down and out:

Tell someone.Tell anyone. Open up yourself so you can get over your self and start living a life of service in others.

We really need it now.

No.Not because the Christmas trees are popping up around town wayyyyyy before His birthday, but because there is joy in giving.

I, for one, Pollyanna hope the trees are going up because of absolute excitement of Him, His birth. I have my doubts though. The reason for the season is really not for spending and charging and instant gratification has its fans.

Buy now pay later is a bad way to live. Heck. We all do it and some to a more desperate extent than others. The 24/7 news and can’t-put-the-phone-down mentalities and abilities has rendered us all in an I want it now state of mind. Even our mental states demand of us to get over it because we realized we got it,

Got what?

The curse of the dragging cat. When supporting oneself becomes too much to bear, the cat is dragged around along with her heart.

No way to live.

Finally, letting the cat out of the bag proves to be the vent of all vents. The relief of all expulsion and the quieting of the mind like nobody’s business.

It really is nobody’s business.

Unless, of course, we ask for help. Otherwise the hamster who somewhat resembles the mouse— who cats really prefer—goes about the wheel in an attempt to stay away from the clutches of the cat.

For a lifetime or until the hamster dies. Whichever comes first.

Enter. The cat o’ nine tails. An instrument of punishment. Ouch. When we keep our inner storms in for too long, they bust out one way or another. Next. We may do stupid things. Things we wouldn’t normally consider doing. Run a red light, push a friend down, grab and go without paying for something. What happens symbolically is we let our own cat out of the bag. Our penance or punishment may be twenty lashes with a wet noodle. For harsher offenses the cat o’ nine tails. Hurts much more and definitely leaves a mark.

Whether that is a good or a bad thing depends on a person’s remorse ability.

The ability to take accountability and ownership of their actions.

We realize we didn’t get what we bargained for. Didn’t sign up for this.

Ouch again.

So. Why am I telling you all of this?

Keep the focus, my friends.

During the hustle and bustle of preparing for His coming, keep your eye on the ball and the prize.

Him.

Until then market scams will lure you into their den. This is nothing new. In medieval times, there were market scams where a seller would substitute a worthless cat for a piglet🥓in a bag, and the buyer would only discover the fraud when they “let the cat out of the bag” at home. (ai)

It all came down to how much the cat and the pig weighed. How do ya’ like them apples.

For stricter enforcement of a weak moment, the cat-o’-nine tails was employed as a harsher penalty used in earlier times with navy men. Discipline may kill the cat, but the potential for a better man comes in the air of divine intervention. Curiosity definitely can kill the cat of nosey-ness, gossip and innuendo. Albeit physical punishment of hitting and pushing is never an answer because it only incites more fear.

Let’s let the cat off the hook, the hamster and all God’s creatures.

On the journey towards the end of this year and as we joyfully await His birthday next month.

Take a breath.

Put the cards down.

Put the phones down, too.

Too many they are one in the same.

A way to go in debt.

Take a breath.

Remember, unto us a child was born. Wrapped in swaddling clothing, lying in a manger. That should be the guiding light that we all know we have enough.

Cats and dogs will always have their differences.

The little boy in the manger teaches us to look past ourselves and to someone who really needs to know about His great joys. Share a kindness and goodness with your neighbor and don’t think twice.