Sunday Purrs: Be Resourceful

Guest post by Angie Bailey

Have you ever had that “stuck” feeling? Like you’re just not quite sure how to move forward and you’re a little afraid to move at all, for fear you’ll make the “wrong” choice? I know there have been times when I’ve found myself in that position and, honestly, at those times I felt paralyzed. Sometimes I moved ahead and sometimes — again, because of fear — I did not and I occasionally wonder what would have happened if I’d just taken a chance.

Part of the reason I felt paralyzed is because I didn’t feel like I had the resources to advance in my preferred direction. And by resources, I mean money, time, connections, equipment…all types of resources. What I’ve found is that the resources I picture in my head aren’t necessarily the resources I really have to have to move forward.

Cats completely get this. They have no sort of expectation about most things; however, they do magically seem to know when to expect mealtime and begin pacing and not-so-subtly reminding us about an hour prior to that. In other cases, they release expectations and are quite resourceful. I can buy them the most expensive cat toys and what do they want to play with? The box. They turn everything into a toy. In my house, crumpled paper balls and pen caps are favorites. When they want to play, they find something to use and it always works for them.

That’s wise advice for us.

When I want to create a project and feel like I absolutely need a certain person or a particular piece of electronic equipment, maybe I don’t. Perhaps I know someone else who would be an equally great partner or may have a piece of equipment I can borrow or maybe I can use something completely different. In my experience, when I stop worrying and whining and hold the vision for the end-product or experience, the right resources just show up. Sometimes they look like what I’d initially imagined and sometimes they don’t, but it’s always perfect. Just like that pen cap.

I believe in the old saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” When a cat wants something, you better believe she’s gonna get it. I’ve seen my cats go to great lengths and heights to go after a bug. They creatively find a way to climb where they need to go and have no fear they will fall; they see the prize and go after it full-force. I love when I capture that zeal and enthusiasm! Sure, sometimes I feel stuck, but when I choose to relax and stop creating blockages in my mind with fear and worry, I usually find a way to get where I need to go. When I become still and open my mind, a name pops into my head or I suddenly think of a method I’d never before considered. I find when I have that magical combination of stillness, joy, and confidence, everything works out. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

Cats are wise and resourceful beings, and I love looking to them as models for living a more peaceful and joyful life; however, I don’t think I’ll ever develop of taste for bugs.

Copyright © 2013 Angie Bailey. All Rights Reserved.

This article was previously published in Edge Magazine and is republished with permission. Angie Bailey is an award-winning Minnesota writer/blogger, cat fancier, word game junkie, creative-project dabbler, music lover, food enthusiast, wife, and mother to two humans and three cats. She spends most of her days enjoying her family, writing, blogging, playing Scrabble, laughing at her cats’ shenanigans, and finding the silliness in most everything. Visit Catladyland for a daily dose of Angie’s cat-centric humor.