The Compartmentalization of our Love

Sometimes it feels like we have two rooms inside of our head
and we divide them up very carefully into things
we can give love to and things we can't give our love to...
things we can feel good about and maybe
somethings we really shouldn't admit to.

Recently I heard some noises in my walls. I could
hear something crawling around in there. And sure
enough...a few nights ago...I woke to find some commotion
in my living room. My beloved cat Meow Meow (see
photos page) had the mouse in her mouth with the tail
coming out. She's a well fed cat, so this wasn't
dinner. This was a play toy! And she was throwing it
around and picking it back up and swatting it with
her paws. Needless to say, I was none too happy with
this Tom & Jerry cartoon come to life in my living room at 2am!

She ended up loosing the poor mouse and now I've
got some 'humane' traps set up to catch 'em. When
I got home the next day, Meow Meow greeted me
with her normal happy dance and I told her how
much I loved her. And I thought...she's a vicious, merciless
killer...and she'd probably eat me if I were as small
as a mouse...but I love her anyway. That's just
her nature.

I had recently spent time with my beautiful nephews
and niece. The boys are four and six and they are
full of energy and fire and passion about everything.
They are constant energy and motion. They are
like human hurricanes. Running, jumping, pulling,
punching, screaming and crying. Completely nuts!
You tell them not to do something and two minutes later
you look over and they are doing that exact thing. But they are
lovable and beautiful and cute and innocent...and you forgive
them in a moment. But...if you transferred them as is into
adult bodies...they would be locked up somewhere
in a padded room. But...they're children and that's just their
nature...so we love them anyway.

Recently, we all learned of the horrible tragedy that took
place in Pennsylvania where five young Amish girls were
murdered by a 32 year old milk man. Few more horrible
crimes can we even comprehend in our heads. And the next
day or so...the headlines read...'Amish feel no hatred or
anger towards the killer' and 'Amish urge forgiveness
for killer'. (!) This was the message they were sending
out to the world and teaching their children.

So I ask myself...how wide can I draw my own circle of
compassion? From who and what do I with hold my love?
Can I include killer cats? Wild children? George W. Bush?
Murderers? Myself?

Where do we draw the line and what is it that we are
holding on to?

So ok...this Rabbi is known for being really generous and
compassionate to everyone in need. So people come
knocking at his door all the time looking for money or food
or clothing. And the Rabbi gives whatever he can. And of
course, eventually, all this 'giving' starts to drive his wife
a little crazy. So one day, maybe the fourth or fifth person
comes to the door...and they are looking for something to
eat. The Rabbi has already given everything he has to give.
He thinks for a moment, goes back in his house and comes
out with a gold ring for the man. Closing the door, his wife
is yelling, "Are you CRAZY?! That ring is worth $100!!"
The Rabbi runs out the door and chases the man down
the street. When he catches him, he says, "Listen! That
ring is worth $100. Don't get anything less for it!"

Alright.

Be extra-kind to yourself today, people!

We need love...

Todd Amodeo


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