08/22/2017
My daughters and I have been volunteering at a local cat shelter for almost two years now. Although we started out going all together, lately one daughter goes with me while the other one does something with her dad. As a result, I’ve noticed something interesting.
When my younger child goes, the cats get nurtured and the lonely humans that stop by to visit get listened to and loved on. When my older daughter goes, the cages are cleaned until they shine, the shelter gets organized, and photos are taken so homes can be found. Each girl’s goal for their time at the shelter and their approach is vastly different but equally important.
I must be honest, I didn’t always see it this way. It took me some time to refrain from ordering the younger one to “get to work.” She WAS working – connecting and socializing with the cats is critically important work. It took me some time not to instruct the older one to “play more.” She wasn’t being unfriendly, she was focusing on keeping the cats healthy and safe.
Despite which daughter goes with me and the way things are done, there is a commonality in what happens when we leave. The cats are at peace. My child is at peace. Each girl has come and accomplished what she set out to do, and this little corner of the world is better after she leaves.
In that moment, I am thankful my heart urges me to be quiet .. to step back … to refrain from changing the beautiful wiring, the unique fiber, that makes them who they are.
Because one day in the not-so-distant future, their unique strengths will be needed on a larger scale.
Perhaps a problem, a crisis, a need will arise and no one will quite know how what to do.
But she will.
She will step forth and with her capable hands and confident heart and take care of things.
My friends, let’s not get in the way of our world-changers as they're becoming who they’re meant to be. Someday they’ll brighten a corner of the world like only they can, leaving it better than it was before.
© Rachel Macy Stafford 2017
Thank you for being part of The Hands Free Revolution – letting go of distraction, perfection, and societal pressure to grasp what matters most. Feel free to show me your world-changers in the comments. There is great hope in sharing our life stories.
Rachel’s bestselling books:
HANDS FREE MAMA - http://amzn.to/1gDzKRO
HANDS FREE LIFE - http://amzn.to/1xy8rGU
ONLY LOVE TODAY - http://amzn.to/2auBHHj
