LIFE LESSON FROM MY CAT #5 ~ BE VOCAL WHEN YOU NEED TO

Lessons come from everywhere and this is life lesson #5 from my cat - speak your truth when you need to. #inspiration #lifelesson

SPEAK UP WHEN YOU NEED TO

When our cats get vocal we refer to it as "singing the song of their people". One does it to get your attention if she's feeling ignored, and the other does it at meal times to let you know it's 5pm and time her dinner was served. They don't usually walk around meowing all day long, instead both save their chorus for moments they consider important.

We need to be the same, there are things in life that matter to us, sitting back and not letting people know what we value leaves us feeling unappreciated and ignored. Midlife has taught me to open my mouth and express myself - to ask when I want something - the worst answer you can get is "No" but at least you asked and, surprisingly, quite often the answer is "Yes".

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN

I told my husband a while ago that I never liked our old dining room suite - he was amazed and slightly bewildered because we had it for years and I had never said anything. He was also surprised to find out I didn't like peanut butter or Nutella either - for a vocal person, I obviously missed the boat at times when it came to expressing my taste in furniture and food. Now when I say I like something, he always checks twice in case I'm just going along for the ride, it would have been easier if I'd just stated my preferences years ago.....

Be a standout - speak up for what you believe, illuminate your talents, be true to who you are. #quotes

MEAN WHAT YOU SAY

Sitting in the wings watching life pass you by, waiting for the courage to sing the song of your people is just a waste of time. If you don't ask, you don't get (our hungry cat will tell you that every night!) If you feel strongly about something then speak up and defend your opinion, choose words that are gracious and choose your moment, but be brave and be vocal. Express yourself and you might be surprised at the results.


Lessons come from everywhere and this is life lesson #5 from my cat - speak your truth when you need to. #inspiration #lifelesson

To keep up to date with my posts, feel free to add your email into the spot especially for it on my sidebar and I'd love you to share this post by clicking on a share button before you go xx
This post was shared at some of these great link parties
Lessons come from everywhere and this is life lesson #5 from my cat - speak your truth when you need to. #inspiration #lifelesson


51 comments

  1. So true. I tell this to my middle daughter as she never asks for anything, whilst the other 2 are very vocal, I tell her she needs to tell me when she wants things, she is getting better at it. #Fridayreflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you're encouraging her to speak up now Mackenzie - if we don't help our daughters to use their voices then it's a lot harder for them to learn it as adults. x

      Delete
  2. I agree with you wholeheartedly, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. People often mistake silence for acceptance or acquiescence....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Silence can sometimes be the easy way out - but it's not always the right choice - the vocal minority shouldn't always win.

      Delete
  3. This is something I'm always working on, Leanne! Interesting that Mackenzie in her comment mentions her 'middle' daughter. Being the middle child, I'm wondering if this is one reason it's more difficult. :)
    https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/2016/06/09/me-in-the-middle-introducing-guest-blogger-amelia/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Middle children are definitely the easiest going from what I've seen Mary Lou and if that's the way it's been since childhood it's often harder to make a stand when you become an adult. I love that Mackenzie is encouraging her daughter to speak up.

      Delete
  4. So true, Leanne. I don't like offending people, and the result is no one knows whether I really like something or not. That all changes. Today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good girl Shirley! I think it's important to feel like you have a voice - you don't have to use it all the time, but to know that you are worthy and can have a say is really important x

      Delete
  5. Hah! Now that one I really do get. I miss having cats, but my dog, Riley reminds me about being vocal. All. The. time.
    Carol
    http://carolcassara.com/what-my-mother-taught-me/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our old dog was extremely vocal - he greeted everyone! I think he was a bit over the top with his voice and was told to shut up a lot - I guess it comes back to balance again doesn't it Carol?

      Delete
  6. You are so right. And I miss my kitties! I love the vocalizing of cats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the fact that they are quiet most of the time (which is very pleasant after a barking dog!) but let you know if something is important to them.

      Delete
  7. I wish I had been more vocal
    In my life but am changing that now I'm older. Love the photo of your feline friend

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we're all getting better at finding our midlife voices Sue and it's been worth the wait!

      Delete
  8. So much wisdom in all these posts - thank you Leanne! It's important to know when and how to speak up. I don't always have that down. Too often I am silent when I should speak up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's something we weren't taught in your younger days Cathy (our daughters are much better at it than we are!) but definitely something we can still work on and develop.

      Delete
  9. Amen to this one. I think when one hits their fifties, opening our mouth seems to not become a problem. At least for me it doesn't. Your cat is so very wise!!! Meow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe 50 is the magical turning point for a lot of our generation Michelle - we seem to have discovered our inner vocal chords and we're getting better at putting them into use :)

      Delete
  10. Cheers! Yes, if you don't speak up, you can't complain for not getting what you want. Great advice and reminder!

    One of my cats becomes wildly vocal when I whistle. I like to think she's singing along. (Though she's probably just begging me to shut up!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That made me smile Lisa - I'm going to go with the idea that she is singing with you because that is such a cute picture in my head. I talk to mine and I'm sure she answers - although she doesn't respond to me trying to teach her to say "mum" :)

      Delete
  11. I love these life lessons! Your cat is very smart and, yes, the squeaky wheel is always the one that gets greased!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lois - they're fun to write and I think they remind me of some of the home truths that I've been picking up along the way over the last few years.

      Delete
  12. Your cat is quite wise! Love the advice he dishes out.
    Estelle

    ReplyDelete
  13. A lot of wise truth there Leanne. There seems to be a balance between making my feelings etc. known and considering the other persons feelings. We are often too much one way or the other. I like letting your husband know your preferences and him being a bit shocked that he did not pick up on things before.

    Kathleen
    Bloggers Pit Stop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It all comes back to balance doesn't it Kathleen? Knowing when to speak up and when to stay quiet comes with experience and time :)

      Delete
  14. So true. It's very important to voice our opinions. You have a good partner there who keeps checking on you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes he has weathered many a storm Parul :)

      Delete
  15. It took me a while to figure this out too. Yes, probably not till in my 40s. Just going along for the ride doesn't really help anyone at all especially yourself! And love any lessons I can learn from my cats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I seem to have been a little bit slow on the uptake Rosie but I'm learning that you need to have a voice to have self respect :)

      Delete
  16. So true! We do need to voice our opinions, needs, & preferences. It is better for everyone!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least everyone knows where they stand when we are honest and open don't they Andrea x

      Delete
  17. Thanks for linking up at Over the Moon Leanne. I've pinned, SU and tweeted!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sue - you know I love the OTM link up x

      Delete
  18. A great reminder Leanne! I have a hard time with this, but as I age I'm getting better. Now, learning to say no that's another story. There's a little improvement there I guess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all a journey Rena - and I think we'll get better at these things as we go along - we'll be rocking it by sixty :)

      Delete
  19. So true! Got to love our cats for the lessons they teach. I find it easier to speak up in some situations over others

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. me too Sanch - I guess we have to choose our battle don't we?

      Delete
  20. I've previously commented Leanne but have shared on all social media x

    ReplyDelete
  21. So true! I admit I have no trouble with this though. In fact my husband often quips that although honesty is the best policy, it doesn't mean that I need to say EVERYTHING I think lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Husbands are our spirit levels because they are one of the few people in our lives who are allowed to tell us when we need to back off a little!

      Delete
  22. I couldn't agree with you more, Leanne. How does anyone know what I want or like if I don't tell them? I think I've gotten (mostly) beyond the years of believing in mind reading. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We often assume people have some sense of us that is way beyond what is actually the case Molly - it's a lot simpler to just say it how it is and everyone is on the same page :)

      Delete
  23. It took me my whole life to get to this point of being able to express myself vocally. Now that I teach at university, I can say whatever I want and the students actually take notes. Try to get that to happen in the workplace with staff you supervise. The would just meow like cats looking for their dinner!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I should take up lecturing at uni Terri - I'd love to have people take notes when I speak :)

      Delete
  24. Hi Leanne, Congratulations! Your post was my favourite pick for this week's Over the Moon. See you next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sue - I really appreciate being chosen x

      Delete
  25. Excellent advice! My cat is very quiet - she really saves her yelling for when she has something importsnt to say!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Which is something we can learn from isn't it - if it's important.....speak up!

      Delete
  26. Great points we all need to find out voice and use it where appropriate time otherwise you become a doormat for others

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.