Peace

Peace

In a world that’s constantly changing, with a never-ending news cycle that seems to amplify only the very worst stories, it’s hard to feel at peace. “Peace” was something you would say to people as you left them. You might even flash two fingers to indicate the same without saying a word. It was a goodbye blessing of sorts. Honestly, it’s one of the best kinds of goodbyes I can think of. I mean – who doesn’t want peace?

How To Guide

Unfortunately, I haven’t yet come across a universal, one-size-fits-all How To Guide for having peace in your life. Sure, there are tons of TikTok tips and Instagram ideas, but for anyone who has ever lived a real life – with real stressors, they are often a lot easier to list off than implement. My cats, however, seem to find peace everywhere. Right now, the one in the picture is curled up on top of my bin of yarn. The top is buckling under his weight but it’s kind of stuffed so it’s not unsteady. He’s laid out right next to “his” chair that has not one but two cat beds on it – one on the chair and the other on the footstool/ottoman right in front. He is napping peacefully, unbothered by anything.

If I went to look right now, my other cat would probably be splayed across my bed in luxurious comfort or perched on my daughter’s bed looking out the window. He also never seems to have difficulty finding peace. Why? What is it that makes them so comfortable wherever they are? Whether they are lounging on the couch, perched on a windowsill, smushed into a box, curled in their bed, monitoring the day’s activity from on top of some high furniture – they are contented.

Trust

I’ve concluded that the reason that they are so relaxed, so chill, is because they trust us. They know they will be fed, given water, and have a variety of places to sleep and be warm and cozy. Their needs are met. Sure, they have toys to play with, but mostly they are concerned about food, water, maybe their litter, and a trip outside to bask in the grass and sun. They trust us to take care of all their needs. They don’t question when we will go ahead and buy more food and don’t get concerned when their food is running low. If they are lacking anything, they come and find us immediately and let us know. They are confident in our response. We will provide.

Get Closer

If it’s a tad chilly – they don’t complain, they simply snuggle a little closer to us. I should learn a lesson from my cats. Their trust in me is the exact same kind of trust I should have in God. When I have a need, I should just get a little closer to Him. They don’t sit around worried about whether I will give them water or food. They voice their needs and wants (like meowing at the back door to play outside), and I take care of them.

Their needs are always met, and often their wants are too. Sometimes, their wants are refused or delayed. Sometimes, if they ask me repeatedly, I let them have what they want knowing that they will immediately regret it and change their minds. There have been times when the snow was piled high, or it was lashing rain, but they insisted on going out. So, I opened the door. Usually, they’d dash out and then turn tail and run right back in again. I knew something they didn’t.

Contentment

So, in my desperate need to control everything, I may be sacrificing my peace and contentment.  I guess it’s time to change my attitude to a catitude. 😉