Life Lessons We Learn From Our Felines…

As we move into the heart of the holidays, now is the purr-fect time to reflect on the blessings we receive from having a furry family member, or two. I offer this article to our readers, my Petunia, and also to myself.

Living with a cat can bring you joy and pleasure. She can bring you calm in the storm and boundless energy and fun. She can provide you with balance while she grounds you in the present. A cat’s companionship helps you feel connected, even when no one else is around. It has been shown that cats help improve your health with the serenity their presence provides. They have been known to act as nurses due to their innate sense of when we are feeling ill or simply down.

Mainly, their foremost thoughts are about taking the best of care of themselves. With this orientation comes a focus on doing whatever it takes to feel in balance. If we are perceptive enough, this can translate to us, their humans. Let’s focus on a number of traits that cats so easily teach us just by being themselves…

Living in the Moment: Cats live in the present tense. Kitty isn’t worrying about the past or contemplating what she will do in the future. She is mainly eating, playing, or sleeping. We might be better off trying to put our focus on similar simple activities. Human anxiety levels would plummet.

Gratefulness: Our kitties appreciate what they have, and they show it. When life brings us challenges, like those we faced during the pandemic, we need to focus on the positives and whatever good we have in our lives. Be thankful for what you have and for those who care about you.

Don’t Forget to Play: Have you ever met a young kitty who didn’t want to play? I haven’t. Cats can have fun with the silliest of objects--or no objects. Perhaps we should remember to have our own crazy times. Doing what you enjoy feeds your creativity and stimulates your mind at the same time.

Go Outside: I know. Fluffy is strictly your inside companion. But watch how long she spends looking out the window and enjoying the wildlife, or just lying in a sunny patch on the floor. You’re luckier. You can go out and take a walk.

Never Hold Grudges: Note how long Fluffy stays angry when you accidentally step on her tail: Not very long; your cat forgives you within seconds. We can learn from this behavior. Holding grudges keeps us emotionally stuck and unable to move forward. By forgiving and forgetting our whole being is lighter, and we can live without being weighed down by negative thoughts.

Overcoming Fear: Have you experienced your kitten hiding under the bed, only to come out when she learns that it’s safe to be near her special human? She takes her time, putting one paw in front of the other until she is running and jumping all over the house. People are the same way. With enough patience and time, we can overcome just about anything we find difficult or fearful.

Take the Time to Unwind: Have you noticed that Fluffy can fall asleep in the strangest of places and just about anywhere at any time? Cats invented the term “Cat Nap,” and it’s because they understand the need to calm body and mind. They awaken rejuvenated and with more energy and better concentration. Those of us humans who never unplug would do well to take lessons from their felines.

Loyalty: Your cat will never lie to you and never cheat on you. Felines are loyal to a fault. You can count on them and their consistency. People, of course, are another story. If we would only treat others the way we wish we were treated, our lives would be as smooth-sailing as the lives of our fur families.

Unconditional Love: Even if you yell at Kitty, she loves you. If you’re having a bad day and you’re in a bad mood, she loves you. Even if you need a shower, she loves you. No matter what, your cat is happy to be around you. She loves you as the unique human that you are and she wouldn’t trade you for the world.

You can see what little sages our furry friends truly are. By replacing our fears and self-criticism with self awareness and self confidence, we can let our felines show us how we can be strong enough to handle anything! With love to Petunia.

For more information, please go to: https://www.recoverywarriors.com/11-important-life-lessons-pets-teach-us/