I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.
- Jean Cocteau -
A couple days ago I emailed someone and apologised for not being a very good friend; predictably, she told me it was nonsense and I had no need to apologise...but I knew I did, so I did. I'd not done anything wrong per se, I'd just been so occupied with some rather weighty matters, I'm faced and surrounded with currently, that I'd neglected my good friend duties.
We had a quick chat, talked some things through and moved on better for it. I guess that demonstrates the strength of the friendship. But I still had those things to deal with of course.
I possess a pretty strong character and the term broad shoulders could be applied also - it means I have been able to deal with difficult things reasonably well I guess. I have the ability to work hard physically and emotionally, I call it lifting heavy shit, and I've had to do so recently due to a few happenings out side of my control. That doesn't mean it's easy though, and it certainly doesn't mean I don't feel a little pressured at times; I do. When I say, a little pressured, you might as well read it as, fucken broken as fuck, because if I'm honest that's how I've been feeling here and there lately.
It's ok though, I still wake up each day and chase life down, still work hard for better outcomes and I still maintain the best thoughts and attitudes I can as often as I can - To do otherwise doesn't feel right to me.
There's been collateral damage though, my friend being one such thing, my being-a-bad-friend scenario I mentioned above. There's been other things too, so I've had to keep hitting the reset button which I do in various ways.
One of which is by spending time with that little bundle in the image. That's Cleopatra, my cat. I call her Cleo mostly.
I know not everyone likes cats and that's ok, but for me spending time with Cleo is incredibly rewarding. She doesn't say anything, but she purrs, snuggles, meows, rubs her face on mine, gives me head-bonks and sleeps a lot in my lap, but those moments bring such peace and I can't imagine what I'd be like without them.
Being close with her each day brings me clarity of thought, removes a lot of clutter from my mind and helps me relax which all helps my thoughts and attitudes. It's like therapy.
That quote above, by French poet Jean Cocteau, pretty much says it all in respect of how much Cleo means to me. Again, people who don't like cats won't get it, but for me, Cleo forms the centre of my house, the true soul of it, and I'm grateful I have her.
Do you guys and gals ever need to find a place away from the trials and tribulations of life and if so how do you do it? Feel free to let me know in the comments, you don't have to give specifics of course.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any images in this post are my own