LIFE LESSON FROM MY CAT #9 - LIVE IN THE MOMENT

You really don't need to control everything all the time - try living in the moment #letgo

BE TOTALLY PRESENT

Cats (and all animals really) have the innate ability of being totally present in the moment. They don't dwell on what happened yesterday, or what is going to happen next week - I don't think they even know what the concept of "next week" is! They just enjoy life as it comes along and react to it accordingly.

CHOOSE CONTENTMENT OVER WORRY

We humans seem to have made life a lot more complicated for ourselves. We worry about things that happened days, weeks, months and even years ago. We overthink things, we agonize over what someone said and what they really meant. Nothing is simple and straightforward because we are too busy adding nuances and afterthoughts.

Sometimes we need to look at our animal friends, at their contentment and their trust in the world around them. They don't spend the day wondering if they're going to be fed, or patted, or let in or out. They just get on with living in the moment, enjoying what comes along (or disappearing if they don't like what's going on). No frustration (or very little), no stress, no depression - just an acceptance of what life hands them.

When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Sometimes you just need to relax, breathe, let go and live in the moment. #quotes

LET GO OF THE NEED TO CONTROL EVERYTHING

They aren't out to control and micro-manage their world and we need to learn to do the same. Letting life come to us and taking it a day at a time works for humans as well as cats (and dogs). Learning to relax and releasing the worry and anxiety is when we find freedom and joy and the pressure comes off. Living in the moment is definitely the way to go!



You really don't need to control everything all the time - try living in the moment #letgo

You really don't need to control everything all the time - try living in the moment #letgo
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you don't need to control everything all the time - try living in the moment

35 comments

  1. Cat do "Be Here Now" like no other, except maybe the Dalai Lama.

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    1. They are their own spiritual guides Jennifer - specializing in "chill out"

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  2. Sometes we get so caught up in life we forget to just'be'. We need to stop and breathe and just be grateful to be alive. Thanks for the reminder Leanne x

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    1. It's all about the "moment" isn't it Sue - just taking time to stop and enjoy being alive.

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  3. Exactly. Great advice. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. Thanks Shari - it's nothing new - just a reminder of how important it is to stop and breathe now and then.

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  4. I am really really enjoying these and simultaneously realizing how much cats and my toddler had in common. Especially the living present and not trying to multitask or micromanage the moment.

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    1. It's the simplicity of young children and animals Carla - something we lose along the way when all the "adulting" happens - it's a bit of a shame really x

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  5. Another example Leanne on why I have to be more catlike, more like my cats!

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    1. They are good examples for us of how to chill out and step off the treadmill now and then Haralee :)

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  6. This might be my favorite thing your cat advises. I am a work in progress, though.
    carol
    http://carolcassara.com/cat-mayor/

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    1. Me too Carol - but I'm aiming to get there because it is such a great way to live life.

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  7. Such good advice! Imagine, not worrying about . . . anything. I wouldn't have a thought in my head! :)

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    1. me either Di - all that worrying I do takes up a lot of space!

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  8. LOL! You haven't met my dog. She's a control freak. But she's cute. You're right though. Animals just are and I can't imagine living without them.

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    1. I think it would be funny to meet a control freak dog Rebecca - I think I'd prefer "mellow" though!

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  9. I'm a huge proponent of living in the moment. I've lost a lot of loved ones in my life and that's probably the biggest lesson I have learned.

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    1. It comes home to roost as you hit your 50's doesn't it Rena? Time is precious and we shouldn't waste it worrying or stressing all those moments away

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  10. Love my dogs....love my plants....they aren't family, but they sure do make life more fun

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    1. I'm not sure my plants would feel the same way towards me Donna - I've murdered a few in my time and they probably have long memories of their dearly departed friends!

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  11. I am a master organizer, so this is def challenging to me. You are so right, just letting things be for a awhile is very restorative and relaxing.

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    1. I'm a control freak Ellen - trying to keep all those ducks in a row becomes very tiring - sometimes it's nice to just say "too bad" and take a moment for myself :)

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  12. I've just come back from a vacation just doing that, Leanne and I agree with the wisdom of this.

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    1. Vacations - I seem to remember those from a time long ago......I think I'm well overdue for one Corinne (you've inspired me!)

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  13. Oh how less stressed we would be if we lived a life as a cat. Relaxing, napping without worries and curiousity where no judgment is.

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    1. It does sound like the ideal life doesn't it Michelle - I'm sure if reincarnation was a "thing" there'd be a lot of us coming back as pampered pets!

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  14. I am going to practice that lesson when I get on a plane to the other side of the world. Until then, it is chaos! Is that your kitty? Beautiful!

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    1. You have to relax when you're on a plane - there's not much you can do about anything when you're suspended in mid air! Hope all the planning and packing proceeds smoothly :)

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  15. This is so true. Whenever we think we're actually in control of things, something happens to prove that we're not!

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    1. We do kid ourselves about being in control don't we Lois - I am the worst example of this but I'm working on chilling out a bit more!

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  16. Such great advice, I just need to learn how to follow it. Beautiful cat in the picture.

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    1. I'm learning as I go along to Mary - I just loved the cat having a little smell of the flower - not a care in the world!

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  17. I've thought about this often. We can learn so much from our cats about just being present.
    Estelle

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    1. Yes you never see them making plans for weeks ahead or fretting about things that have passed. The most they think about is whether it's nearly dinner time!

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  18. How cute is this pic? And what a great message, Leanne. I always tell my son to focus on the gift of "now." And if we're ever tempted to say things are terrible and couldn't possibly get worse, life will prove us wrong in a hurry. :)

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