Author Notes: Lesson in Social Networking From Lady Guinevere

On our dining room's threshold, Lady Guinevere inhales the aroma of roasted chicken. One of her favorites.  Too well-mannered to beg, she pauses expectantly. She'd not say no to an invitation to dine. In the middle of my own meal, I decide to make her wait. After all, we don't want her to become spoiled.

But when I ignore her subtle request, Guinevere turns her back to me and won't be mollified, even when I offer her the wishbone. As I turn away, rejected, my offering spurned, I realize that for my cat, it's not about food. It's about love. Guinevere wants to be treated like a family member, not a pet. She wants to be included, to belong. That, to her, is more valuable than food.

In this, I'm not so different from my cat. Although I trend toward introversion, I still yearn to connect with a group of like-minded people, to invest in something greater than myself. I want to be included, to belong, to matter. Because this is what we all want in varying degrees, tapping this deep-seated desire in others helps connect them to the menu of services and products I offer. But just like with my cat, if I meet my own needs first, they won't come to supper. They want to be treated like family.

Lady Guinevere has long since forgiven me. For my part, I try to be more sensitive to both her physical and emotional needs. (But, no, she doesn't sit at the table to eat with us.) As I bask in her goodwill, I won't forget her lesson in love.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt

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