Trust and Listen

Our cat Ben at the moment has the most nasty, deep, and horrid looking gash in his side. He has had it for a few days now and it has been only in the last 24 hours that I've taken a closer look at it and really started to notice it and him.

He hasn't been himself. Resting rather than out playing, staying close to home rather than venturing out and when he isn't doing that he is licking, cleaning and tending to his wound for the upteenth time.

Watching him has made me realise how in tune cats are to the nature of things and how amazing our bodies are including Ben's. I have no doubts that he will heal but I often wander would I heal the same?

If I were me would I listen to my body and do what its telling me or ignore it and go out and play anyway. Which I'm sure is what Ben would much rather be doing.

I can recall many times I haven't listened. Pushing myself that extra bit when my body is screaming at me to stop, to only end up injuring myself. Or the one I'm most guilty of, ignoring my body's plea for sleep to only stay up that extra hour and suffer the next day.

What I've learnt and am still learning is our bodies know and they communicate with us every day the only way they can, through feelings, symptoms, pain and pleasure.

Ben's injury has been a reminder to me to no longer ignore and think you know best but to instead trust and listen.

The Truth About The Melbourne Cup

Its Melbourne Cup time again in Australia. (Melbourne Cup is a national horse race that takes place every year in November). It has become a bit of a national icon and is celebrated by many; even those who aren’t into the races will watch the race and places bets. Including me. Until a few years ago….

I no longer participate, support or have anything to do with the Melbourne Cup or any other horse race. Let me tell you why.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I finally saw these races for the truth that they are – unnatural and cruel.  To think of all the years I have placed bets on horses hoping to win some cash is upsetting. I never once thought about the horses. I never once thought of their pain. I only thought of me.

Its not the only time I thought only of me. My past is full of selfish ways but I am slowly changing all that. I am also changing how in the past I would follow everything. I would do what everyone else did just because they were doing it and it’s the ‘done thing’ or to be cool (and this included participating in the Melbourne Cup) I only participated because everyone else did and therefore I had to, too. Not anymore. 

Now I question everything. I don’t do something because everyone else is doing it I do something because I want to do it and because I believe in it. I questioned the Melbourne cup and why I participated and at first felt like a hypocrite. I only bet once a year and even then I didn’t know what I was doing. Just chose the horse who had the best name. How stupid. This then led me to look into further, to open my heart up to it and when I did and what I discovered was upsetting (I will spare you the details).

So this year I will not be supporting the Cup, though many will and it’s the many that do that keep the race and the cruelty it supports alive. I may not stop a nation but I can stop me.

When The Lasagna Hits The Fan...

Tonight as I was making dinner the above happened. Ok not so dramatic but you get the idea.

I managed to spill and splatter the contents of an entire pot of bolognese sauce all over my kitchen cupboards, walls, floors and myself. There was a time in my life where I would have been mad. Where I would have blamed everyone within close proximity, yelled, sworn and it would have ruined my day. I'd have been angry for hours. Now, nope, not a thing.

As it happened I smiled and thought 'Oh well, great excuse to clean those cupboards!'. I even surprised myself with this thought and how far I've come. I don't know who or what puts these thoughts into my head but I love them. I much prefer these thoughts than the thoughts I use to possess. The thoughts of fear, anger and blame!

Today I was again reminded that you CAN your thoughts. It takes practice, it requires discipline but its possible and so worth it.