Orientation

In America, 2020 brings the continuance of our election cycle. You know, when those pesky pollsters call you during dinner to ask your opinion. I propose we now have them talk about the hot button topic that will raise the hackles of people all over the world: Toilet paper orientation, over or under?

I further propose that we poll all members of Congress and the news media with the same question, so they can start meaningful discussions and debates regarding this important matter.

When I got married 40 years ago, my husband and I solved this subject fairly and democratically; we hung the toilet paper his way. I mean seriously, is my life going to be drastically impacted if the paper comes off the roll from the top or the bottom? No. The sun will still continue to rise and set, and the world will still rotate on its axis.

We also solved the lesser, but equally important issue of where to squeeze the toothpaste tube. Simple, buy two tubes. He can squeeze it his way, and I’ll squeeze it mine.

Turns out my husband was right. (Please do not tell him I said so!) He has it laying the same way the gentleman who invented modern toilet paper did: over the top. Hey, if the inventor shows this is how it is supposed to lay in the paperwork he submitted to get his patent, why are people still arguing? (Patent US465588A filed in 1891. Picture in this post is the drawing he submitted.)

And, if you ask any self-respecting cat, they will politely reply that is does not matter. They are happy to sit on the toilet seat and bat the paper off the roll regardless of if it is over or under.

So in this instance, cats are leading us by their example to be peacemakers. They know life is too short to waste arguing over non-issues. Even with the benefit of nine lives. Just have some fun.

Orientation defined is to set in a definite position. [MW] In the sport or Orienteering, you are required to use navigational skills using a map and compass to walk from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain. Sounds kinda like life, right? So how do we orient ourselves?

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me…”(Ps. 25:4 [NIV])

“I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. “(Prov. 4:11 [NIV])

So I choose to be lead by the Word of God and be a peacemaker.

“Seek peace and pursue it.” (Ps. 34:14b [NIV])

“…God has called us to live in peace…”(1 Cor. 7:15 [NIV])

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” (Matt. 5:9 [MSG])

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard word of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” (James 3:18 [MSG])

So let’s be blessed and live our lives more like cats, being peacemakers. Life is too short not to take a nap in a sunbeam. We also need to choose to lighten up a little more and not get involved in fights. Then we can sit back in our sunbeam and have some fun as we watch members of Congress and the press debate toilet paper orientation. Now that would be entertaining! Especially if they brought in rolls of paper to bat off the tube into nice little piles!

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