Life’s disappointments can knock the wind out of the best of us, and sometimes, it seems like we’ll never get over some of the bad things that happen. As humans, our tendency can be to continue to bring up our painful past, rather than working on healing the pain and moving on with our lives.
Cats don’t do this. They live in the moment. They don’t dwell in the past and constantly revisit it, nor do they use the past as an excuse for not being happy in the present. So why is it so hard for humans to just “get over it?”
In Purrs of Wisdom: Enlightenment, Feline Style, I share Fifi’s story. Fifi was my veterinarian’s cat. Dr. Tasi shared some of her background with me one evening when I was doing Reiki on then 17-year-old Fif: she was 7 years old when she was brought to the veterinary clinic where Dr. Tasi worked at the time. She had a spinal tumor, and her hindlegs were paralyzed. Her owner never returned for Fifi, and Dr. Tasi ended up adopting her. Fifi went through several rounds of chemotherapy, and regained function in her legs again. She adjusted beautifully to Dr. Tasi’s multiple cat household. One day, Dr. Tasi decided to consult with an animal communicator for all her cats. As one of her other cats shared his story of a rough background (all of her cats are rescues), Fifi interrupted. The animal communicator relayed that what she was “saying” was clearly “We all have our stories – just get over it!”
I think Fifi may be on to something. No matter what our story is, each moment offers us a choice—to look back at what did not work for us in the past or to look forward and make different choices that bring us happiness.
Photo of Fifi by Andrea Tasi, VMD
Have a great Sunday. Great post.
Well, I don’t agree with some of what is written…cats (and dogs) do remember hurts. They do shy away from certain people – a male that has hurt them sometimes puts fear in them against other males, as an example. I think it’s not at all easy to ‘get over it.’ Very simplified and not very practical. I’ve lived with hurt….forgive? sure…but not always forget. No lectures at that statement that if you forgive, you forget. I usually agree with what is in your blog, but take issue with this one.
“Just get over it” is the worst advice in the world, for cats or for humans. It is the answer for insensitive people who don’t have the patience to listen to the problems of others.
Learning from our past without reliving it–I’m working on that.
A stray kitty appeared several years ago. I adopted him and always wondered what his story was. Who would abandon this perfect kitty out in the country? I consulted with an animal communicator, and when I inquired about “Friendly’s” past, the response she got was that his people moved away and that it wasn’t important any more.
They recover from trauma so amazingly well, and are often more than willing to open their hearts and trust again and again.
What a fabulous piece.My cat had a fall last night. I keep re- visiting that moment and I was thinking…she was, too! I had a cat years ago that fell three stories…She broke her palate. So the old story that they fall and do not get hurt is really not true. That tortie, Luvey, lived to be 21! She was my first cat and I have had 9 cats since Luvey! A house is not a home without a feline dwelling with us. She never shied away from me after her fall. Cat mothers like me get very upset over the past..luckily….. Cats do live in the now. They get over things and move along. Cats are wonderful teachers. Loved your article. I needed to hear that today. Thank you!
I’m glad my post came at the right time for you, Patti.
We all should be cat! Beautiful thinking. Once, I walked on my cat’ s tail by accident.She was hurt and ran away. I was so sorry and I cried. I called her and she came back to me purring, wanting to be petted and she even licked my tears. She was not mad and she has forgotten the past in a instant holding no grudges and was happy again. But, she never stood right behind me again but only on my side where I could see her. She learned!
I think we all know that awful feeling of having accidentally stepped on a cat’s tail, Eva! Thankfully, they forgive and forget so quickly.