This week I’ve tried to focus on my direction and aim, but, like everything else, it sure is tough in the winter.
It continues to be snowy, and real cold! Add a little wind to that, and I hear there have been windchills of -40 to -50! With that, I tell you my aim is off!
The horses go up the road to catch the first rays of sun, though there doesn’t seem to be much warmth in it.
This is the cruelest of seasons. So mean and hard, it got me thinking about a better way to be.
As I watch the critters outside and all we do to help them, it is a chance to take aim at our first virtue, one the world desperately needs these days.
Be ye kind.
We all have heard ” if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Good advice that needs to be learned and followed again.
What is up with so many people who feel the need to criticize and generally be rude and mean?
This cowdog is here to remind you, we don’t need your selfish opinions and bad behavior.
I assure you if this pup had practiced such bad behavior, I would’ve heard the growl, then been rolled over and held by the neck until I wised up. 
I think a lot of folks out there missed that lesson. And a lot of folks who should be teaching it are not.
The boss always says it doesn’t cost anything to be kind, and in fact – I think it pays. Life is tough, there are plenty of struggles to go around, and we never know what someone else is fighting. A little goodwill can go a long way!
Just a simple word of encouragement may change the day for someone, and maybe they’ll pass it on.
Practicing kindness is good for the practitioner too.
I have a challenge for you:
let’s all find at least 3 opportunities every day to practice compassion.
I will tell Mopsy she looks nice. 
I’ll give Tug a pass when he acts crazy and begs me to herd him.
I will let mom know her feed chores are invaluable.
I will smile and bark enthusiastically at the delivery driver, letting him know I’m glad he came out in the cold to bring the Chewy box!
I will show charity to the wild ones, who come through looking for stray corn and sunflowers.
I will wait patiently while the bosss fills bird feeders and puts out peanuts for Cheechee the squirrel; to my credit, I haven’t chased a squirrel in months. I will kindly let them know I think they are beautiful too!
I can’t “say something nice” to the horses – everything I say to them is taken as as a wild Dingo cowdog moving in to nip them. So instead I’ll just watch quietly, with a warmhearted smile.
And every evening, I will kindly bring my big squeaky ball to mom, giving her the chance to enjoy a good game of catch. I know that makes her happy.
I even found a verse for me:
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
