Connection to Joy

Early last Sunday morning, I went outside to pick up the newspaper.  I made a smacking noise to call our little night owl cat, Lucy.  We taught our cats to come to that sound so we’d never disturb the neighbors. 

I heard a faint meow coming from the yard across the street.  A big brown tabby came running as if I was her long lost friend.  She greeted me with enthusiasm, and enthused herself right into the house, before I could stop her.  We put her outside, but she patiently showed us that she knew how to use a cat door, 3 times, with what I think was a smile on her face.

We placed Found signs in the neighborhood, ads in 2 newspapers, and asked everyone we met.  No answers.  After a week went by, we began to ask our friends if they’d like a new cat.  She was everything we described…peaceful, loving, adaptable, friendly, and easy to have around.  No takers.  Then someone said they’d like to come by and meet her…a potential taker.

Day 8:  I woke up in a very funky mood…not sure why.  I couldn’t pinpoint what I was feeling…out of sorts?  I write and teach Joy…I wasn’t feeling much of it, and couldn’t shake my strange mood.  I have just finished my book, The Joy Choice, in which I share how to restore a loving attitude when fear or anger are active in our minds.  I took the steps to discover what my present attitude was…it wasn’t fear or anger, but it didn’t feel like love.  I was grumpy, weepy, and absolutely down-n-n-n…what was it?

I busied myself, tried to concentrate on writing, tried to prepare for a trip coming up.  There was something I hadn’t remembered to do.  I got quiet and still and asked Spirit for help.  I asked:

• When have I felt these feelings before?

• If I did know what I was feeling, what would it be?                             
  

Thoughts popped into my mind of when my dad was dying from cancer.  What did this have to do with what I was feeling?  I let myself really feel the feelings…sadness welled up in me, and I cried…the feeling was sadness, but there was more….I was feeling love, attachment, and not wanting to give him up. I was feeling that I had to accept my loss and be mature…it was simply what I must do.  What did this have to do with a stray cat?  That’s when I got it…I didn’t want to make this decision with my intellect.  I knew we had 3 cats already, it wasn’t practical, or mature to even consider another.  My heart said something else. I decided to share my feelings with my husband, and he surprised me with his answer.

How often do you give yourself time and space to really know what you feel? How often do you check with your heart…your heart does not always appear to be practical, but it understands more than your intellect can consciously know.  When you check with your heart, you get the answers which don’t always make sense at first, but they always bring love and peace.

Too many cats?  We wouldn’t have made a conscious choice to seek out another one.  Our pets have mostly found us..they’ve chosen us.  We believe in adopting strays, especially when they are placed squarely in our paths.  Many of the best things in life arrive when we’re not looking for them. Let me introduce a new member of the family….We named her…what else?  Joy!

Joy & Blessings, Carole  xx