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  Attitude is Everything
  Balance
  Bucket Filler or Dipper
  Do-It-Yourself Project
  First Impressions
  I Am
  It's About Attitude
  Laws of Leadership
  Letter from College
  Life
  Motivation
  Mud Puddles
  Spell Czech
  Stress Management
  Ten Commandments
  Ugly
  Wealth
  Wild Geese
  Who Packed Your                   Parachute?
  The Wolves Within
  Words to Live By
  Worthy Thoughts

Ugly

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who UGLY was. UGLY was the resident tomcat. UGLY loved three things in this world:  fighting, some scraps of food to eat, and...love.

The combination of a life spent fighting and living in the elements had had its effect on UGLY. To begin, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side. His left foot appeared to have been badly broken and having healed at an unusual angle, made him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail had long ago been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would twitch. Every time someone saw UGLY there was the same reaction:  "That's one UGLY cat!"

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw things at him, hosed him down or shut the door when he tried to approach them. UGLY's reaction was surprising"  he would take a soaking, curl up near you even when "shooed" away, or stand and take whatever insults were hurled at him. Whenever he saw the children, he would come running and meowing, rubbing his head against their hands, begging for love. If anyone DID pick him up, he would immediately purr and begin suckling on shirt, earrings, or whatever he could find.

One day UGLY shared his love with the neighbor's Huskies. They did not respond kindly and UGLY was badly mauled.

From my apartment I could hear his wails and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent UGLY's sad life was near an end. He lay in a wet circle with many severe injuries. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home, I could hear him wheezing and could feel him struggling. "I must be hurting him,"  I thought. Then I felt a familiar tug on my ear. UGLY, in so much pain, was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer and he rubbed my palm and I could hear his distinct purring. Even in great pain, the ugly, battle-scarred cat was asking for some affection and compassion.

At that moment I thought UGLY was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. He never tried to bite or scratch me or even get away. He just looked to me, completely trusting, to relieve his pain.

UGLY died in my arms just moments later. I sat and held him for a long while afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have pureness of spirit and to love so totally and truly. UGLY taught me much about giving and compassion and for that I will always be thankful. He was scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside. It was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply; to give my all to those I care for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well-liked, or beautiful. But for me, I will always try to be UGLY.

--Author Unknown