11.26.08
A Time for Serious Cat Thinking
Oscar here,
I’ve been doing some thinking — what — you didn’t know cats thought?! Wait ’til you read what I have to say before your make up your mind. 
My person (the doctor) just posted some pithy thoughts about Thanksgiving (and even managed to work in Christmas ‘n stuff) and it’s pretty good.
But … I have a different slant on it all. Now before you get all disbelieving and all — know that my person-the-doctor has a significant library, and even he doesn’t know what I’m doing while he’s off sucking fat or fixing people who hate looking old … you know … all the ones about to turn 60. He thinks I spend my day chasing that cool fuzzy ball (well I do actually) but I also read! He’s got tons of stuff printed up on his desk and lots of books.
So here’s my take on Thanksgiving (or the state of feeling thankful):
- Psychologists say it’s impossible to feel grateful and unhappy at the same time. Think about that one long and hard.
- The feeling of gratitude comes from appreciation for life itself … or
- Deciding to focus on what is right in your life instead of what’s missing.
- Sometimes (if you get really wound up in this stuff) the ability of just being aware of yourself at all can give you a sense of profound gratitude (if it doesn’t give you the willies at first). What I’m sayin’ is our actual existence is nothing short of miraculous. Now that’s something to be grateful for. Why waste it by being ungrateful?
- Feeling grateful means you feel you have enough to be happy. But that’s not enough. Ya gotta pass it along. Let someone know you’re grateful for them too.
- Medical folks tell us people who feel grateful are less prone to depression. (Got that from an article on my person’s desk.)
Finally, there was a very old Chinese cat (Lao Tzu) who once said …
If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
I’m just sayin’ ….
Oh — and Happy Holidays!
Later,
Oscar
PS: got a lot of my stuff from an article on my person’s desk from the people at Spiritual Wealth (www.spiritualwealth.com) so I’m giving credit where credit’s due.