A Lesson from Prissy Pig

byTexpart

196 followers

6 years ago

Today- well actually this entire week- has been very stressful. I have heard it from so many others as well- they'd say "boy this has been quite the week!" Not long ago I would have been frustrated and upset with a week like this one. But too long ago I took a lesson from one of my furry friends, Prissy the Potbelly Pig.

On a very hot Texas Day not so long ago I was in my usual hurry. Two full time jobs, animals to feed and a mom to take care of. How in the world would I get it all done? As I rounded the corner to the pigs castles with a scoop of feed in my hand, I caught sight of Prissy with her pink belly in the sun. Her life wasn't stressful, as a matter of fact it appeared to be quite comfy. Prissy didn't stir when I called her. Her hearing has slipped since she's gotten older now. Her little tail flicked a pest so I knew she was simply comfortable. I worry a bit when its hot. Pigs don't do well in the heat. They do not sweat or pant. When someone tells you they are "sweating like a pig" you now know that pigs don't sweat. During the summer I give each pig their own kiddy pool to soak in. They love their showers and pools! But as I watched the ole girl lounge in the sun I came to me how very long it had been since I slowed down enough to lounge in the sun.

Once I got the pigs rousted so they could eat their dinner, I noticed that Prissy had folded her pool and made a terrible mess of it. So I filled her huge water dish and then went about filling the other pigs pools. As I turned to return the hose to its holder, I saw Prissy staring at her messed up pool. I took the house and showered her and I did so I told her "Prissy old girl that pool is a mess. I just can't work with that. It needs to be fixed." I put the hose up for the night and told myself since it was near night fall, I would deal with it at morning feeding time.

The next morning, I went out to the pig castles. What I saw made me smile. There near the fence where I could reach it was a big pink pool. It was turned right side up AND the bottom was smooth and the sides were intact. Next to the pool sat a smiling black and white pig. Of course, I filled her pool first and went about the day. With a smile.

It was at about that time I decided to make a few changes. Prissy showed me that we all have choices. Somehow she understood what needed to be done, and she did it. She knew her reward would be a bright pink pool full of water. If a pig can make up her mind and choose to do what is needed, why couldn't I?

Since that time I have taken time to enjoy the pigs, the horses and play games with the dog. I designated an entire day to take mom to the park, a movie or just a long drive and some ice cream. I spend every day with her to help her with her meds and make sure she eats right as well but now we have a better routine. One she understands.

I also resigned my night job effective August 15. I am an artist. I just need to get to work and sell my art and custom furniture. I can do that on my own time and it is something I dearly love. I spent my night shift working on WA everyday so I will simply need to dedicate the time in the evenings instead.

Sometimes it is the simple wisdom of nature that shows us the greatest gifts if we just look. We all have so much to do, so many distractions. Prissy shows us that if we put our minds and determination into something- we CAN do it! She also shows us how very nice it is to spend sometime enjoying the sun.

Conventional wisdom says work REALLY hard and someday maybe you will succeed. I say that's bunk! I've watched too many fine people work themselves into an early grave and never get the benefit of that time in the sun. I say good WA people, that we all have to make time for both. Work is so much more pleasant when you take the time to enjoy some time at play.