Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie

Pete the Cat....a cat with a suave, carefree attitude. But then, we learn that even Pete allows the criticism of others to get in the way of his confidence. I absolutely adore this book and not only because it is about dance.  However, that is what caught my eye.  It teaches a valuable lesson that in all we do we must be ourselves.  There is so much critique from friends, family and of course the world. But it wont be until we learn to do be ourselves that we find our happy grove.

Pete the Cat was learning a new dance—  the COOL Cat Boogie! Then Grumpy Toad came along. “I really dig that song but Pete, you dance all wrong!” Pete did not know what to say. He just tuned and walked away.

Pete couldn’t sleep at all that night! “What if Grumpy Toad was right? What if my moves are bad?” The thought of NOT dancing made Pete feel sad. “Dancing is like magic! When I hear a groovy beat I’m full of happy in my feet! I won’t give up!  I love to dance. Let me give it one more chance.”

Pete was practicing the Cool Cat Boogie when he saw Squirrel. “Hey, Squirrel, How do you dance? How do you groove? Can you teach me how to move?” “Sure, Pete! It’s a simple song. Just cha-cha-cha and dance along!” “Ahhhhh! Ouch! Pete, you stepped on my toes! That’s not how this dance goes!” Pete did not know what to say. He just turned and walked away.

“But dancing is like magic! When I hear a groovy beat I’m full of HAPPY in my feet! I won’t give up! I love to dance. Let me give it one more chance.”

Pete was still practicing the Cool Cat Boogie when Gus came along. “Hey, Gus! How do you dance? How do you groove? Can you teach me how to move?” “Sure, Pete! It’s a simple song. Just do a robot and dance along!” “Ouch, Pete, you bopped my on the nose! That is not how this dance goes!” Pete did not know what to say. He just turned and walked away.

“But dancing is like magic! When I hear a groovy beat I’m full of HAPPY in my feet! I won’t give up! I love to dance. Let me give it one more chance.”

Pete was still trying to do the Cool Cat Boogie when Turtle came along. “Hey, Turtle! How do you dance? How do you groove? Can you teach me how to move?” “Sure, Pete! It’s a simple song. Just shake your tail and dance along!” “Oh no! Pete, you fell! You tripped over my shell! Everybody knows that’s not how this dance goes!” Pete felt like giving up.

Wise Old Owl had been watching from his tree. “Pete, it doesn’t matter how you move as long as you are being you!” “You are right!!! I never want to miss a chance to dance!”

“When you hear a groovy beat and you feel happy in your feet, just dance, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE.” 

Dean, Kimberly and James. Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie. Harper Publishers: NY. 2017.

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Love the Savior's Way

A lawyer once asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Out of all he could have chosen, the Savior chose the two that centered on love. He said, "Thous shalt love the Lord they God with all they hear, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:37-39)

Love allows people to do more than they though was possible. One such miracle is the ability to heal. It also gives us the opportunity to become like our Savior. In Gethsemane, Christ preformed the ultimate act of love. He atoned for our sins that we may be forgiven and therefore work towards becoming like Him. Christ forgives us of our sins, so we too must show that same act of love when others do wrong to us. We are all imperfect. We all desire to be shown love and respect, despite our faults.

When and adulterous women was brought before Jesus, he asked those who have not sinned to cast the first stone. No stones were thrown. Christ showed that love helps us accept others despite their short comings. Just as we are commanded to love others, we are also commanded to love ourselves. Love yourself despite your short comings. We tend to judge ourselves harshly. Be kind and allow the love of the Savior to heal your wounds as you also love and forgive yourself.