S-t-r-e-t-c-h like a Cat

Imagine a cat curled up in a ball, sleeping in the sun that streams through the open window. Now watch that cat awaken, yawn, and stretch out with long, long legs and torso.

Yesterday, I allowed myself to be lazy. I slept off and on throughout the day, rarely getting up and out of bed. My cat, Manje, spent most of the day with me, and I had several opportunities to watch Manje stretch herself out. Cats know the wisdom of stretching, and watching her teaches me one of God's simple lessons. I must always be looking for ways to stretch myself---to stretch my mind with a stimulating conversation, a challenging problem, or a new idea; stretching my spirit with prayer, meditation, and reading; stretching my body with nutritious food, good exercise and yoga...

We must always change,

renew, rejuvenate ourselves;

otherwise we harden.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe