Rest

Oh-Oh has the most energy of the Gang of Four. He's curious, sensitive, and playful. They each favor different toys; his is a small plastic circle with bumpy edges. He can toss, carry, and bat it about. Like the others, he likes to bat it under the fat chair and watch the human lift the chair to retrieve the collection of toys that have gotten wedged there.

He spends much of his time out of doors climbing trees, partying on the roof, and keeping tabs on the other cats. His unbounded enthusiasm for life is fully evident.

But when he comes to a stop, it's a full stop. It's as if he brings the same passion to resting as he does to everything else.

This seems to me to be a simple and priceless lesson for us all. When resting, fully rest.

In fact, I think that by being fully present, rest comes to naturally occur even as we move about or think or engage with others. There is a sweet economy of movement and a softening of shoulds. It seems much more restful to live in the present moment.

"...in all the great spiritual traditions, at their heart is tenderness - just to be kind inside, and then everything rights itself. Fear rests. Confusion rests. Everything that was perturbing the system rests. Because they know that when you are tender inside you no longer need their services, because you have returned to your true nature." Pamela Wilson