Ok, so I’m obsessed. I recently took a trip to Omar’s Exotic Birds (a specialty pet store that sells birds— who would’ve guessed?). It was just for fun, but has now turned into something more. My husband and I really enjoy visiting the store occasionally, because all of the birds are out of their cages on perches and you can pick them up. Most of them are pretty friendly, and being the animal lover that I am, I think it’s pretty awesome to walk around with a parrot on your shoulder.
So we went to the store just for a casual visit, and that was when it hit me; my husband and I are living in our own place for the first time, and there are no rules about pets besides cats and dogs where we live. And so, technically speaking… nothing is stopping us from getting a new feathery friend. Once that thought crossed my mind, it set up camp and refused to leave. I had decided; we were getting a bird.
As of yet, we have not acted on this impulse. First, I needed to do some research. I went through plenty of information on the internet about different species and care requirements, did some test driving in Omar’s, worked out a budget, and came to a conclusion. A big parrot is too advanced for beginners in bird care like us, so that was out of the picture (not to mention that most of them cost upwards of $1,000. And I mean way upwards). But at the other end of the spectrum, finches aren’t quite what we had in mind either. We want a bird that is affectionate, intelligent, and easy to handle. After a long struggle between a parrotlet, a lovebird, a cockatiel, or a budgie (otherwise known as a parakeet), we finally landed on the lovely “middle ground” parrot, the cockatiel.
And once we decided that, we had to decide on where to buy it and when. More importantly, we had to decide on a name! Eventually, we settled on Rocky for a boy or Lilo for a girl. We’ve also decided that we’ll be going back up to Omar’s to check out the prospects next weekend.
Now, I realize that I’ve been rambling on for several extra-long paragraphs about our plans to buy a new pet. You may be questioning your decision to read this blog post right about now, but before you close the window, let me at least make my point; I’m obsessed.
I am most definitely obsessed with this plan I’ve just hatched (get it— hatched?). I’ve googled cockatiel related things way too many times over the past day and a half, and I even begged my husband to take me back to Omar’s today, just to play with the (already sold) cockatiels there. It’s definitely been one of the most popular thoughts on my mind of late, and I can certainly admit that it’s an obsession at this point. But the thing about that is… well, maybe it’s ok to be a little obsessed.
Obsessions aren’t always a bad thing. Yes, of course they are bad if they’re related to unhealthy habits or dangerous plans, and they definitely aren’t good if they get in the way of you living your life. But a little obsession every once in a while? Especially one that brings a little fun and joy into your life? That may not be the worst thing in the world.
Take my case, for example. My obsession with getting a pet bird would be a bad thing if I wasn’t eating, sleeping, or showering because of it. It would be bad if I was being reckless and deciding to buy a $10,000 macaw (which can live for over 100 years) without the proper budgeting or forethought about the future. It would even be bad if I was being impulsive and decided to buy a bird on the spot simply because it was cute and I thought it would be fun to have. But that’s not what I’m doing; I found something I like, researched all about it, carefully considered whether it was a good idea, checked to see if it was in our budget, and of course consulted with my husband throughout the process. And yes, I’ve been excited about the idea all the while, and it has given me something to look forward to.
Minor obsessions like this may seem silly, but I think they actually serve a purpose. At least for me, they are usually manifestations of mini hopes and dreams that I have for my life. Bringing a pet into my life could certainly bring me some joy and satisfaction, and even if it’s a little goofy to be so excited about it, who cares? I love pets, and as long as I’m responsible with them, then who could it hurt?
Sometimes, doing little fun things in life or making changes can go a long way in sustaining joy. And it’s not about searching for joy in places other than God, either; it’s about enjoying things that God created, enabled, or otherwise blessed you with, and thanking Him for that! As long as I know that Tweety will not be the one thing that makes my life perfect, then I say it’s harmless. God made the little joys in life, after all, and I’m pretty sure that he wants to see us to enjoy them.
So go ahead, start a new hobby and become minorly obsessed with it! Decorate your bedroom with a theme you love or posters of your favorite singer. Plan out your dream wedding, even if you don’t necessarily have the groom yet. And for goodness sake, go out and buy yourself a hamster, if that’s what you really want! (Just make sure you’re committed to taking care of it first.) After all, everyone could use a little obsession every once in a while.
Most of all, though, I’d encourage you to discover (or rediscover) the best obsession in the universe— an obsession with Jesus! (You know I had to throw that in there. =D)
P.S. Don’t forget to check back in next week! I just may have pictures of little Rocky or Lilo by then! =]