“Not I,” Said The Cat
Since when is suffering considered a hallowed virtue? There is not a doubt that any well-bred Catholic would probably have the answer to that. The esteemed qualities that are required for sainthood include forbearance, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice. Individuals who exhibited these traits throughout their lifetime, and then demonstrated their “holiness” by dying for their faith, were to be held in the highest regard.
Most Catholics (or at least those of us that were raised in the 1960’s) were taught that suffering is “saintly.” Any time that I was experiencing pain, or unpleasantness of any kind, there was usually a nun nearby to remind me that I should “offer it up as a sacrifice to Christ.” I was not at all certain how that was going to help me, but I was taught that it was disrespectful to question a nun. It may have been more clear had she told me to just shut-up and quit complaining.
Along with a hefty dose of guilt, being raised in a large Catholic family usually comes with a complimentary ration of martyrdom. Any mother who raises her face to the heavens, closes her eyes, and covers her forehead with the back of her hand portrays a classic image. Of course, my own dear mother was never that dramatic. This exaggerated depiction comes to mind because at one time or another, all of us were told that we would be responsible for sending my mother to an early grave. (Fortunately, she is now 83 years old and still alive and VERY well.)
Perhaps this early notion of ’suffering’ is the reason why I once found the tale of The Little Red Hen so appealing. The intended lesson of the story is to demonstrate the virtue of “sharing in the work if one is to share in the rewards.” Somehow, I managed to interpret the circumstances of this story to personify the task of parenting.
The Little Red Hen does it all. The dog, the cat, the pig, and the turkey do not want anything to do with planting the grain, reaping the wheat, threshing the wheat, taking it to the mill to have it ground, baking the flour, and making the bread. But they sure the hell want to help eat it. This sounded familiar.
“I just spent all damn day cleaning that floor, and you just walk in here without even wiping your feet.”
“I just ironed that shirt! You try it on, decide that you don’t want to wear it, and then throw it on your closet floor?!”
Scenarios like these could explain how an overworked, stressed-out, stay-at-home parent could sometimes feel like The Little Red Hen. Every hen needs an outlet to decline the ancient appeal of martyrdom.
When you tend to your connection to All That Is, you are able to see yourself as Source sees you. Divine Source knows that you do not have to suffer to be appreciated.
Routinely giving yourself those solitary moments that nourish the heart will serve to remind you of the grandness of your being, and ignite the appreciation of your true nature. Appreciation is one of the most powerful vibrations that expands in brilliant fashion when directed from within.
Once self-appreciation is allowed to flow freely, people will notice a clean floor, and even turn around to wipe their feet, without you having to say a word. Almost like magic:)
