Week One: Find the Joy, Even in Negative Situations
Zoey’s in the cage–again. I swore I wouldn’t use it as punishment, and, to be honest, she doesn’t seem to interpret it that way. But when she repeatedly disregards direct commands to “stay out of the kitchen” while we’re eating, well, I feel I don’t have any other option than to close her up in there.
And before you berate me, yes, I know it’s not politically correct to call it a “cage” these days.
But “crate,” really?
Here’s the Merriam-Webster definition: 1. “an open box typically of wooden slats or latticed plastic and used for transporting and storing goods; see also MILK CRATE”; or 2. “a usually wooden protective case or framework used for shipping; a packing crate.” Clearly, nothing like Zoey’s current location.
It’s only recently “crate” has come to mean “a time-out box for dogs.” Previously, we’d assume that a metal cage with metal bars was more, well, a cage, the definition of which is, “a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (such as birds).” Whatever we call it, the dogs are still. . . in a cage.
In any case, this state of affairs, luckily, no longer happens very often. Zoey is learning to be a Good Girl! Nevertheless, sometimes she still needs to be reminded that the humans run the show in this house, and that adorable Labraheelers may be the boss of other dogs (and cattle), but not of me and the hubs.
Time for a time out.
Needless to say, Ms. Zoey is never too thrilled with her time in the cage/crate. A rather vocal canine, she tends to bark, howl and yelp when inside, at least for a few minutes.
And then. . . she calms down, accepts her fate, and starts to look for something to occupy her attention.
On this most recent occasion, she discovered some ancient crumbs under the mat (a quilted affair, originally meant as a throw rug, but just the right size for the crate/cage). intended to make the experience feel less like an incarceration and more like a spa treatment.
With the gusto of a Food Network chef, she devours the crumbs, then wriggles her bum a little to reposition herself on the mat, uncovering an as-yet unexplored corner of the crage.
Aha! MORE crumbs! Her pink tongue makes quick work of the wayward food remnants as she repositions yet again for maximum belly coverage on the mat.
And then, I glance over once again to notice what the hubs and I call a “mini wag” of the tail: just the bottom third swishes, like a branch with leaves at its tip, flapping in the wind while the rest of the branch is still.
Even while reprimanded, even while locked up in her less-than-favorite spot, even while unable to scour the entire kitchen floor as she is wont to do–even then, Zoey still finds immense pleasure in the discovery of a few crumbs.
I realized while watching her that this is, truly, the ability to find joy in every situation.
And so, our first week’s challenge begins: find joy daily.
Even if it’s just for a few seconds, and even if it’s based on a mundane experience–find that joy, and savor it. Let your tail swish!
I know, I know: it can feel like an impossible goal, given everything that’s going on in the world at the moment. But that’s also precisely why it’s the perfect goal for us right now. If you can find even a modicum of joy daily in hard times, just imagine how joyful you’ll be when things are going well.
The American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology defines “joy” as “a feeling of extreme gladness, delight, or exultation of the spirit arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction.” Sounds pretty good, right?
Certainly, it’s easy to find the joy when you’re immersed in some obviously joyful activity. But can you also find it when you’re immersed in a circumstance that would otherwise appear joyless? Find it whether you’re feeling happy–or not? Find it because you look for it, and because you are determined to find it?
That’s the goal for this week. So, who’s taking on this challenge with me? Let me know!
I’ll be back at the end of the week to let you know how it went. Please c’mon back to report your own progress as well.
Stay tuned!