Today I am proud to share wonderful words of wisdom from Melody K. Townsend.
We can all learn a lot by emulating her Cattitude! ~ Josie
Dictionaries define “Cattitude” as feline behavior of aloof superiority.
Cats are indeed the superior species on planet earth, but we are not arrogant about epitomizing God’s purrfect design. Our personalities are not so different from those of humans. We desire the same blessings: food, shelter, love, and affection. A safe and secure home. Medical care, comfortable beds, toys, and challenging, interactive games. The freedom to celebrate life, to have fun, and to give lavishly from our beautiful, generous hearts. Assurance that those who say they love us will continue to love us for all of our whole lives.
We desire relationships. We want to bond heart to heart, mind to mind, spirit to soul with our human companions. We understand, comprehend, touch, soothe, and heal on deeper levels than science can explain.
A cat on her own will be true to herself. A cat’s relationship with a human is a reflection of the human’s character. We can merely coexist, or we can merge our hearts with a bond that outlasts a lifetime.
You really do reap what you sow. If you treat a human child as though he is distant and aloof, you are shaping him to develop that very personality. If you treat that child with love and affection, he will grow into a gentle and compassionate person. If you want your cat to interact with you and desire your company, you must encourage and nurture that relationship. Let her know she is important to you. Share your time and attention with her, acknowledge and respond to her communication, and welcome her always into your presence.
So if it isn’t feline snobbery, what exactly is Cattitude? I will share a few aspects of our divinely-designed and exquisitely-created feline attitude!
Cattitude is Confidence! I know who and what I am about. I am confident in myself and in my ability to do and be my feline best. I have complete confidence in the God who created me and in the humans who care for me. I am confident that every day will be awesome, and I don’t waste time and emotion wondering “what if” it isn’t! I take pride in myself and my accomplishments, and I strive to improve every day. I am too wise to be arrogant; credit for my achievements is shared with those who love and encourage me. I am not aloof; no cat is an island, and I need my humans almost as much as they need me!
Cattitude is Faith! ~ Cattitude is Saucy! We ask for what we want, and we expect to receive it! When humans do this, they call it Faith. When felines do this, we’re described as demanding and saucy, among a variety of other adjectives. When humans don’t receive what they ask for, they often become depressed or resentful toward God. When we felines are denied our requests, we find another way to entertain ourselves or some other work to do, while we continue to present our requests with respect, gratitude, and positive expectations. We will ask again later. You don’t expect us to give up that easily, do you? We’ll ask again and again, and we’ll be cute or conniving, as the situation requires. Does God think you’re saucy? Well, why on earth not? Go ask Him again for the desires of your heart! Right now! And don’t forget to play and explore and anticipate and prepare to receive what you are asking for while you’re waiting to receive it!
Cattitude is Positive Expectation! Every day is a brand new box, and I can hardly wait to open it and discover every single moment! I anticipate only the best, because anything less is a waste of my time and of God’s investment in me. Why do humans persist in imagining the worst possible outcomes? They waste precious time in miserable anticipation of a terrible moment that may never even come to pass! Cats know the wisdom and benefits of great expectations. We deal with negative events when they arrive, and not a moment before!
Cattitude is Forgiveness! Amidst all the wonderful people who populate our world are human-shaped monsters bent on killing, destroying, and mutilating all that is pure, innocent, beautiful, and good. In countless cases of horrific abuse, cats who survive agonizing torture turn to their rescuers and medical staff with the purest love any human can know this side of Heaven. Permanently disabled and disfigured felines live out a truth that humans find all but impossible to grasp: this jar of clay may be broken or marred beyond recognition, but the jar is only a vessel that holds the untouchable treasure inside – the feline spirit, the human soul – that God retains for Himself. Cats have an unparalleled capacity to forgive so completely that our innocence remains intact. We know that hatred doesn’t hurt the abuser; it only festers in the heart of the one who hates. Comprehensive distrust will not repair the damage or guarantee that we will never be hurt again, and bitterness is a poison that permeates and destroys only the spirit that harbors it. Cats know how to live through even the most unimaginable trauma and still give and receive love, still believe with full faith in the goodness of the humans who love and care for us, and still anticipate one worthwhile moment after another, even when – especially when – moments may be all we have left.
Cattitude is Joy! If you’ve never experienced sheer elation, stand still and watch two kittens play with utter abandon. They have no fear, no concept of limitations, no reservations, no pessimism to mar their perception of their perfect world. They run and play and climb and wrestle and explore with absolutely all of their might. They hold nothing back. They are tiny, furry mentors encouraging humans to live! We celebrate life because that’s what cats do. We encourage our humans to celebrate, too!
Cattitude is Contentment! Stroke your fingers slowly through my plush, beautiful fur. Listen: really silence your mind and focus on the rhythm of my purr. Relax as my front paws massage provide a soothing massage. Be still. Breathe. Repeat. Feel that? It’s called peace. Your tension eases and your heart calms to a gentle rate as you rest in my presence. Stress is released. Burdens are laid aside. Worries are placed on hold. Emotions are quiet. Your spirit recharges and renews. Contentment is found in recognition of the countless blessings that constantly engulf you. Peace and rest offer you the time to acknowledge and express appreciation for them. Cats are excellent trainers in the underdeveloped arts of contentment and rest. We are true peace makers.
This brief summary barely scratches the surface of the myriad unique qualities comprised by Cattitude! But these are among the most important: Confidence without arrogance, pride without conceit; faith and positive expectations; forgiveness, uninhibited joy, and contentment.
Enjoy the qualities of Cattitude in your Extra-Ordinary World!
