Does life really have an Easy Button?
Sep 16th, 2008 by spaceagesage
Our cat Khan understands the nature of relaxing fully. You can often find him as he is in this photograph — paws up, mouth open, and snoring a trusting kitty snore with a body as limp as a balloon. Relaxing for most of us seems to require a beer, “down time,” or an hour at the gym; but wouldn’t it be nice to be relaxed all the time? Of course, Khan doesn’t have a care in the world as a pampered kitty, but most humans do. Still, I have witnessed certain people who are able to tap into relaxation even in the worst of times.
What is their secret?
- Belief that it will all work out in the end
- Belief in living the present moment fully
- Belief in a purpose greater than themselves
- Belief that this life isn’t all there is
- Belief that people are better than their behaviors
- Belief that we all are given enough of everything and at the right time
- Belief that even adversity has lessons and meaning
- Belief that being genuine, transparent, and caring are worthy goals
- Belief in themselves — enough to impact the world for good
- Belief that the glass is half full and that we can fill it to overflowing
- Belief in God or a force that is dedicated to Good
Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is. ~ Bhagavad Gita ~
- What to you believe in that helps you face each day?
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These posts may also interest you:
Things that keep us from relaxing
Stress triggers — uncovering and releasing them
In the eye of the beholder …
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This might sound too simple but…what helps me face each day is knowing that somehow, as long as I do my best, “everything” is going to be ok. Sure things might get tough sometimes (really tough), but as long as I give it my best, it’s going to be ok.
Hi, Ricardo –
I don’t think anything that works is too simple, and it sounds like you have something that works for you. And, besides, who — including yourself — can ask for you to do anything more than to give it your best?
Isn’t he beautiful?! I LOVE cats – we don’t have one. I used to look at my cat and think much the same kinds of things – it’s also interesting the way they can walk into the middle of a group of people and everyone will look down at it – they are so self-possessed (or something) that they attract attention.
I love your list. We have a saying in Australia “she’ll be right”, meaning everything will work out okay. I remember a writer saying they found this attitude interesting, when they visited Australia (I’m not suggesting that all Australian’s don’t worry!)
Hi, Robin —
Khan is blushing with delight over your words. Thanks.
I like the “she’ll be right” phrase as a cultural mindset of hope and positive thinking. Wish more of us had that!
Oh, this is too funny. I wrote a post about relaxing, which will be up on Friday, and I also include a picture of my cat flat on his back. Does yours lie on his back, while not sleeping, and view the world upside down? Or is that just my crazy Siamese? Anyway, like I said, obviously relaxing is on my mind, and my post is a bit of rant on it, as you will see. So, your question is very well timed. What do I believe in to help me face the day? It is definitely spiritual. I am pagan, so my personification of good is the Lord and Lady, representing the importance of balancing dark and light, male and female energy. The trick is to find the balance. Right now, I know my problem is that there is too much male energy (active energy) in my life. The reality is, there are things that must get done before the end of the month to move out of my apartment, plus outdoor work before icky Canadian winter sets in. Where I have gone astray is forgetting that this energy is needed at the moment, and should be honoured, and can be balanced off with passive female energy when it’s all done.
Hi, Urban Panther–
The only other time Khan is upside down is when he grabs the kitchen table chair rungs with his forepaws and pumps his back legs in the air, which is a disemboweling move in predatory felines. We just say he is doing his ‘ab work.’ I’ve had Siamese before, and they do seem to view the world differently
Balancing those energies sounds like work; is it?
“What to you believe in that helps you face each day?”
Despite a serious tendency to be a control freak, I believe that we have very little control over life.
The belief that I don’t really have control relaxes me and helps me become less of a control freak.
I hope it makes sense. It makes sense to me. 🙂
Hi, Vered —
Been there; done that. I’ve also learned my control freak nature, perfectionism, and even some of my battles are simply ‘constructs’ that my survivor self created to cope over the years. And, you know what? I’m tired of living life based on such false assumptions.
I guess for me it’s a matter of saying that something CAN happen right today — that yesterday might be a mess, tomorrow might be a mess, and most of today might be a mess, but I can have one moment of peace and relaxing at some point. Just that hope, I guess, gets me moving. In addition to many of the things on your list. 🙂
Hi, Sarah —
Welcome and thanks for commenting. I agree that the power of Can always beats out the power of Can’t.
@SpaceAgeSage – no balancing energy is not work, but it does require awareness.
Hi, Urban Panther —
OK. Got it!
Wow — I don’t think your list misses anything, Lori, and I do believe in many of those ideas.
One other thing that helps me face every day is knowing that time is our greatest resource, and to make the most of it every day. I try to live each day as if it’s my birthday, as in pamper myself in at least some small way every day. Some days even more than just a little 😉
Your cat is too cute! Our dog often lies on our bed spread-eagled with a look of bliss on her face. My husband said she learned that from me! LOL No comment on that one.
Hi, Linda —
I like your idea of a little pampering every day. And yes, Khan is too cute … and he knows it!