Cat Logic

photo by Swedish Viper.

Today is one of those windy fall days that makes it seem much cooler outside than it really is. As I sit in my office (not really wanting to be in here), I find myself staring out the window - daydreaming. When I come to, I notice that one of my cats is also staring out the window - but he is poised for action. It seems the wind has whipped up a great many leaves and is blowing them across the yard. Oz, now glued to the window, his tail flicking from right to left, head darting one direction then another, is chasing the falling leaves.

Occasionally he lunges toward a particular leaf, stubbing his paw (& his nose) on the invisible barrier of glass. - Not to be deterred, however, he quickly regroups, setting his sites on a new leaf. A new focus, new excitement.

So, it is here that I take a lesson from my cat: whatever you do, do with fervor, simplicity, and Joy. If you're not enjoying it, refocus - & find the excitement... the joy.

It doesn't matter to him that he can't catch the leaves. He's just having fun trying.

Challenge: Find your Joy

Just like Oz, find joy in simple tasks, and if it's not working, refocus. Make a list of joyful things, not just objects but tasks that you can undertake to help you recharge when your joy reserves are getting a little low.

Activity: Take yourself out on an Artist's Date

Do something just for you. If you need ideas, check out Julia Cameron's The Artists Way, checkout the Online Workshop, or 101 Ideas.

SING!

Everyday around 3:30, I am graced with the most curious event: my very own wandering minstrel. He walks down our little dead end gravel road and cuts through the field to the set of houses just on the other side. I never recognize the song, and I've no idea what he is singing about, but I hear his marvelous crescendoes from a block away and I smile. Occasionally I stand out on my front porch and just wait for him - for my very own passing concert to arrive. He walks by, nodding his head in acknowledgment of my presence, never missing a note, never losing his concentration. As I am not invited to join him on the rest of his journey, I wave and go back inside.

I often wonder what his story is. In my mind I've decided that he lives with a secret band of musical gypsies, and both to announce his arrival and gain admittance he must sing. So everyday, when walking home, this is what he does. And I get to be a witness to this secretive and curious event.

Challenge: Be a Witness

Sometimes all it takes to discover these mystical, magical events is to be present and be aware. More than that, however, you need to acknowledge the wonderment of it - be a witness to the event - enjoy it, write it down, create a story or poem - or just tell someone else about the wonderfulness of it.

Avoid thoughts that lead to judgment or negativity, like: "Oh what a weirdo" - instead, find the grace and wonderment of the event.

Challenge: Live Out Loud

Do something akin to our wandering minstrel: Sing out loud, recite a poem to the clouds, skip down the street, write words of wisdom on the sidewalk with chalk.... don't be afraid to be seen or heard. Enjoy your own presence, your own voice- for whatever it contains, you can probably bet that someone else out there is enjoying it too.