Sunday Purrs: A Fresh Start

Sunday Purrs| 14 Comments

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The beginning is always today. – Mary Shelley

Ah, the New Year. A clean slate, the promise of a fresh start. It’s like the ultimate Monday. Did you have a bad weekend? No worries, it’s a new week. Did you go through some challenging times last year? It’s January. You can start over.

Unfortunately, for many of us, this “fresh start effect” doesn’t last. The trouble with the concept of a fresh start is that it takes us away from living in the moment. It makes us look back over what was, and forward to what we want to be. This is not where life happens. Life happens in the present moment – and that’s where the real promise for lasting change lies.Continue Reading

Nutra-Thrive-Cat

Sunday Purrs: Why Cats Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions

Sunday Purrs| 7 Comments

2014 Calendar January

When I asked Allegra and Ruby about their New Year’s Resolutions, they gave me a funny look. Allegra said New Year’s Resolutions are a silly human invention. She said cats live in the moment and don’t worry about what they should be doing next, so they don’t need resolutions. Ruby said she resolves to get more treats this year.

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions several years ago. Since I still like the idea of the “fresh start” a new year offers, I set New Year’s intentions instead. I think New Year’s resolutions are destined to fail, because there’s an inherent flaw in the term “resolution.” According to Merriam Webster, the definition of resolution is “the act of determining.” There’s nothing there that says we’re actually going to do something. This is why I prefer to set New Year’s intentions. The definition of intention is “a determination to act in a certain way.” The difference is subtle, but one (intention) implies that we are actually determined to do something differently, whereas the other (resolution) simply states that we’ve decided to change something.Continue Reading

Christmas Eve Reflections 2013

Author's Life| 16 Comments

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Christmas Eve has always been a day of reflection for me.

I consider myself a deeply spiritual person, but I don’t feel affiliated with any particular brand of religion. My parents were Catholic, and I grew up in that faith, but during my adult life, I’ve chosen to take what I call a “cafeteria approach” to spirituality, picking and choosing what resonates, and discarding the rest. I celebrate Christmas, because for me, the holiday is ultimately about love, generosity, and giving. But even more than that, for me, it’s a time to slow down.

We live in an incredibly fast-paced world, and it’s rare that a large number of people take the time to slow down at the same time. Continue Reading

Ruby’s Letter to Santa

Ruby's Reflections| 17 Comments

Ruby letter to Santa

Allegra and Ruby both wrote their letters to Santa last week. Allegra has asked that hers be kept between her and Santa, but Ruby gave me permission to share hers.

Dear Santa,

it’s Ruby! I’ve been a very good girl this year. I haven’t broken anything in a long time. I only rarely aggravate my sister. I make sure to keep an eye on the birds on our deck. I keep Mom company when she works. I always clean my plate. And I’m just so darn cute (Mom says so all the time!).Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Making Holiday Memories

Sunday Purrs| 7 Comments

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For many of us, the magic of the holiday season comes from memories we have of childhood Christmases, and we often hang on to traditions in an effort to recreate those special moments from our past. Setting aside time for family, friends, and of course, our cats, during this busy season helps us add to the reservoir of meaningful holiday memories.

Psychological research seems to suggest that cherished memories from the past promote mental health and well-being. It appears that the more nostalgic people were about their past, the more they perceived their lives as meaningful. Interestingly, researchers also found that when they induced nostalgia in people who felt that their lives had no meaning, it improved their psychological well-being and reduced stress. (Source: Psychology Today.)Continue Reading

Cat Books, Cat Art, and a New York City Christmas

Author's Life| 7 Comments

Columbus_Circle_Holiday_Market

New York City is my favorite city any time of the year, but at Christmas time, the city transforms itself into a wonderland of Christmas tress, lights and over the top decorations you won’t find anywhere else in the world. And I feel a little bit like a kid on Christmas Eve, because I get to part of the magic that is New York at Christmas time: I’ll be the guest of digital artist Deborah Julian at her booth at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market on December 11 from 2 to 6pm.Continue Reading

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Author's Life| 16 Comments

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Happy Thanksgiving
from
Allegra,Ruby and Ingrid

I try to be thankful year round, but I do spend a little extra time on Thanksgiving to really reflect on what I’m thankful for. Of course, Allegra and Ruby top the list – followed closely by you, our Conscious Cat readers! And to show you just how thankful we are for all of you, we have a special surprise for you tomorrow.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

We’re celebrating Thanksgiving on The Conscious Cat Facebook page, too: post photos of your Thanksgiving kitties!

Allegra’s World: Nursing Mom

Allegra's World| 25 Comments

Allegra's_World

It has been said that cats have healing powers, and I’m proof that it’s true! I took care of Mom last week when she was sick. Mom said I was a very good nurse, and that what I did was very sweet. I didn’t think what I did was so special. I was worried about Mom, and I wanted to help her. It’s what we cats do.

I knew something was wrong when Mom didn’t get up at her usual time. She’s always on time with our breakfast, so I was getting worried when she was still laying in bed half an hour after she usually feeds us. When she finally got up, she moved very slowly, and her voice sounded funny – kind of scratchy and hoarse, not at all like what she usually sounds like. But at least she was finally up! Whew!Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Contentment

Sunday Purrs| 10 Comments

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When I think about what contentment looks like, I think of a purring cat. If there’s anything that illustrates happiness better, I don’t know what that would be. And it doesn’t take much for cats to be content: a sunny spot on the floor, a full tummy, a lap to curl up on – those are the ingredients for contentment when you’re a cat.

Why is it so hard for humans to reach that same state of contentment? Why do so many of us always look for the next best thing? For some people, the mindset for happiness is a never-ending cycle of always wanting more. Perhaps we’d do well to learn from our cats when it comes to mastering contentment.Continue Reading