Hi, Rainbow MagnifiCat from selfcarecoaching.net again (as translated by my human).
Evie has been transfixed by me and next door’s lambs / sheep.
They’ve been eating grass and as far as Evie’s concerned, they’re exceedingly welcome. She hopes they understand that they’re welcome to the grass but to avoid the newly planted trees and shrubs.
They’ve given her no indication of having understood but they have, for the most part, been eating the grass and not what she’s planted. Who knows, maybe sheep are like cats in that they DO understand humans but usually don’t deign to show it.
Whatever.
Some days, I am entranced by them too – they’re so woolly! And they’ve grown so quickly!
Other times – I don’t mind admitting. There’s strength in truth – they freak me out.
I mean, what are they DOING?
I’m happy to share the field with them but they aren’t welcome in the HOUSE.
Even Evie’s now taking steps to ensure they can’t get in but I can still get in and out.
So the sheep are both scary and friendly. I’m happy to change my opinion moment by moment.
Like Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York (what? You think cats can’t take an interest in the news? Especially when it’s on soooo endlessly? He talks sense) says, we can all make decisions based on the facts as they present themselves. When we know more, we take our next best step finding some solid footing.
Sometimes the sheep are fine. I LIKE them. I even sometimes gambol around instead of panthering around – I like to shake things up and I appreciate the new moves they’ve taught me.
AND other times, their unpredictability freaks me out so I run home to safety and then explore again.
From what I understand, you humans are similar but you seem to expect yourselves to stay more consistent.
From my feline wisdom purrspective, it makes SENSE that sometimes, you might actually ENJOY elements of lockdown.
And, of course, it’s not a holiday. It’s not a rest. It’s up to you humans to stay home and stay apart in order to minimise the spread and ultimately save the world.
It’s totally understandable that you’re stressed out by the responsibility you have to keep yourselves and others safe and that you’re missing many of your usual coping mechanisms.
But you CAN face your fears head on.
Like me (when it feels right to do so. Sometimes, hiding under the duvet is the best plan).
How can you arm yourself with as much information as possible?
How can you face YOUR fears?
What supports can you put in place to make it easier on yourself?
Evie has been doing this all week as a kind cat-friendly neighbour has been helping her deal with a situation in the attic.
She said it would have taken all day to psyche herself up to check but knowing her friend was coming to help meant she could focus on the work she needs to do to keep me in cat food.
You humans act as if you shouldn’t HAVE any fears but they’re helping you in ways you often don’t appreciate.
Human trauma specialist Peter Levine talks about how impalas play dead when they sense a lion and then shake it off, no embarrassment, when the threat has passed.
Obviously, I’m Team Lion BUT I appreciate the impala’s openess. False alarm? WONDERFUL. I’ve not been eaten.
You humans often beat yourselves up for having been afraid in the first place.
Fear can be a good thing.
Be honest with yourself:
What are you most afraid of right now?
Getting sick?
Making someone else sick?
Money worries? (I TOLD you – I watch the news. I understand all about economic uncertainty.)
Other kinds of scarcity? (I get it. Loo roll is fun to play with – it unravels and is great to scratch at. But no one needs that much.)
Never seeing certain loved ones again?
The willingness of otherwise seemingly sensible souls to buy into conspiracy theories and panic mongering?
Opportunities being lost forever due to the timing?
Strange Covid dreams?
Whatever your fears, you can be braver AND protect yourself at the same time.
Stay informed.
If something – anything – feels too frightening, give yourself even a little time and space to connect with that fearful feeling.
How is it trying to help you?
What does your inner scaredy cat need from you?
Once you have a sense of its positive intention, you can begin to meet that need.
You will expand in height and width – in a good way – as you embody the confidence (LINK) of a creature who KNOWS that each next best step is taken care of.
That all is well.
That you ARE safe.
That you can handle whatever curveballs life throws at you.
That you can even come to enjoy meeting life’s challenges as your resilience increases.
You’ve got this.
And if you’d like some help relaxing, yoga nidras can be great for calming body and mind while giving you something to focus on the whole time
I fell asleep listening to Evie share this one.
Finally, I’m normally all about imparting my feline wisdom for you humans but we cats are in awe of a certain section of your population: The medical staff, carers, teachers, cleaners and other key workers who have been facing their own fears head on, without PPE at the start (we hear it’s better now), not knowing if their courage would result in being struck down with the virus.
I look at you the same way Evie looks at me when I leap onto the top of the wardrobe.
In utter awe.
Squared.
Meow for now,
Rainbow MagnifiCat