A Short Cat Story – Cat Inspiration For Living!

I was moving around the house at a moderate speed, checking off my tasks on the to-do list of life. Being aware of my Cat, who gave a couple ‘mews’ and headed in the direction of the door. He wants to go outside. It is just still early morning. His body pointed at the door, and his eyes looked for my attention, but he was quiet- patiently waiting. I opened the door, and let him out. I didn’t know that I had opened the door to a short cat story.

A Short Cat Story – A Meander Down The Garden Path

Months upon months ago, in the far-away & most magical land of BC (Canada!), my mother asked me for some pictures of my Cat. My aunt’s friend, she said, was in the hospital recovering from a critical illness, and had requested some. I thought,

?

… and felt somewhat like she had just asked for pictures of my socks- surprised and a little awkward.

What I wasn’t telling her was that months ago, I had been taking pictures of my Cat because I thought that he was so darn cute. I couldn’t resist, although it felt a little silly. I had a lot of them on my phone. I was thinking, at that moment, who else in the whole world would ever take pictures of their cat? Is there anyone else who would want to see these pictures? Then that thought was quickly gone. Until now.

“Sure,” I said, “I have lots.”

This is the backstory to this Short Cat Story.

Speed forward half a year- my mom approached me again and said, “Thanks for those pictures, by the way. They really helped your aunt’s friend in the hospital- she said they got her through.”

I almost could not remember at all what she was talking about. It had been months since I had given those cat photos to her. The memory of that conversation was so vague, I barely had a grasp on it. It had almost slipped through my fingers.

Someone else benefited from that?

So weird!

Back on Track

I opened the door. I was suddenly aware of sights, sounds, and smells. More aware than usual. It was cold, but not too cold. It was a white-sky cloudy BC day. Significant rain had fallen recently. Everything had that darker wet colour- tries, dirt, plants. And it smelled like BC- wet pine trees after rainfall. And all the foliage that goes with them. A very familiar smell to those who live in this coastal rainforest. Coloring was great everywhere- a good day to take photographs if you’re a photographer. Everything was still and quiet. But I was aware of every sound that was made, although there were very few on this winter day. Not even birds.

It was a really beautiful outdoor experience and I was enjoying it.

I looked down at my cat, who looked like he couldn’t be more satisfied and happy. Very satisfied with himself- happier than a pig in poo as my mother would say- very pleased. He sat with his nose up in the air twitching, alert, tail swishing occasionally.

Yes, this is cheesy but I don’t know how else to say it. I was grateful to my cat for helping me to really live in that moment. It was a very beautiful day in our B.C coastal rainforest.

Being Aware Of Sights, Sounds, Smells, Touch, Taste- Did You Know That’s A Therapy Strategy?

As it turns out, my cat is very wise for living in the moment and showing me how to, too.

I work with students who have anxiety. I have come across a CBT therapy strategy in my professional studies that is very similar to this.

If you are in a place where panic hits you, and your thoughts are racing, you can list:

-3 things that you see

-3 things that you smell

-3 things that you can touch

-3 things that you can hear.

-3 things you can taste.

Obviously, some of these you won’t be able to hit 3 for. For example, maybe you are chewing some gum and all you can taste is cinnamon from your Denteyne Fire. The point is, that as you slow down and jsut recognize what you can perceive with your senses, you pull yourself out of your own head and more into the present moment- and the world around you. It can help you undermine anxiety, and help you to live in the present moment.

Wisdom from a cat. Not too bad for a furball. He ranks up there with CBT psychologists.

Tying The Hospital and the Coastal Rainforest Together.

What do the cat pictures for my aunt’s friend in the hospital and my story of beauty in a moment have in common? A really simple revelation: the understanding that other people get the cat thing, too. Some people actually like their pet cat.

Wow- mind blown!- did she really not know that? You may be thinking. What a cheap revelation!

(By the way, I’d counter that you read this far! Looks like our brains are the same size! lol! 😉 )

Sure, I knew that some people like their pet cat logically, but now I really get it. I get the pet cat thing.

Short Cat Story – Do You Have One?

So, I told you my cat story. Do you have one too about your pet cat? I would be interested in hearing it! Please leave one in the comments below. It doesn’t have to be sentimental and mushy. Honestly- I don’t know why mine was. Humour is great too! Maybe your cat smacks you in the legs when you walk by- anyone else have a cat that does that? Or maybe he sits on your face when you fall asleep. If your pet is anything like mine, he/she probably does loads of random stuff. You can also post things that you learn from your cat. Remember that you can find wisdom through your pets! And inspiration for living- if you’re humble enough to acknowledge that!