Monday, July 20, 2009

When Cats Dream

If we aren’t careful, we can spend much of our lives on automatic pilot, mechanically flitting from this problem to that one, from bills to pay to distractions on television, from problems at work to problems at home, from bad memories of the past to chronic worry about the future. In this way, we can easily sleepwalk through our time here, day after day, overlooking the 800-pound gorilla in the room with us.

What are we overlooking? The simple, astonishing fact is that we are here, alive, together, at this moment. Our very existence is amazing.

Who are we? How did we come to be here, on a tiny planet, in the midst of an unimaginably vast universe? If we stop, and Have a Moment, we see that we are surrounded on all sides, and at all times, by mystery and enchantment. Look into the eyes of your lover, your child, the person who rings up your purchases, the person you hate, the person whose feelings you hurt, and notice how incredible this being is. They, and we, are miracles.

And it doesn’t stop there. The lavish display of stars across the night sky, the millions of blades of grass in a wide-open field, the endless ocean waves pounding the shoreline, and the countless living things in that ocean – all miracles.

Yesterday I watched a cat I know while he was sleeping. He is nine years old, a full-grown adult, and somewhat surly as cats go. He will scratch you. While sleeping, he began to dream. While dreaming, he started making a rhythmic movement with his paws, and he began to suck and then lick with his tongue. For several moments, he looked like nothing more or less than a kitten, suckling at his mother’s nipple.

A cat dreaming of his mother – the magic is everywhere.

32 comments:

Michelle said...

So lovely Patrick.

I need these posts.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for continuing to visit my blog! :)

I am learning so much through your blog too! Your posts really make me think!

Kate Lord Brown said...

Lovely post Patrick, and very timely for me. So glad Michelle visited my blog - look forward to reading your posts. We have to cherish these everyday miracles.

icancarryallthebagsandthebabiestoo said...

Hey Michelle,

Thanks for leaving the comment linking to this post on my blog.

It made me sad and happy for many different reasons. It's been a tough day.

Erin said...

This is the loveliest post I've read today. It really touched my heart. Thank you. :)

Erica said...

agreed- its scary how time and life can just slip away.

Thank you for the comment on my blog! I know you had mentioned you wanted to work a little on getting your body in shape and I think that is fabulous! Let me know if you ever need any ideas for new/different workouts :)

Liam said...

Very moving and thought provoking.

Sue said...

Patrick you really touched me again as you always do.

Is that okay to say?

Anyway I will see you Saturday I think. At Crescent beach? I think?

Brian said...

Gorgeous post Patrick.

Sue...yes it's at Crescent beach!

Ha...see you there.

Brian said...

ugh....that was me above Sue. I confused myself...sorry.

Unknown said...

reminds me of the post titled "goodness" that i posted last night. it's amazing what happens when you look at the world this way!

Foursons said...

Wow I needed to read this today. With financial stress and a tift w/my very good friend, life has been a bit rough. Thanks for helping to stop and realize that I need to appreciate the moment for what it is.

AND- thanks for saying my blog is a riot! OMG- what a huge, and I mean bigger then big compliment! I'm gonna tell everyone what you said. Woohoo!

Jocelyn said...

Ah, what lyricism in this writing. Anne Lamott calls the instances you refer to as "holy moments." She is a religious person, but she means it non-religiously...as you do: wake up; take notice; actively appreciate.

As I did with this post.

Michelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa said...

Thank you for the post Patrick. I needed this today. My day did not seem so magical but in fact I was letting myself be Blind to what was going on around me.

Thank you.

Ter said...

thank you for the comment you left on my blog. come again any time.

Julia said...

You see like I do! Good to know others on this planet feel the little things. :)

Michelle stopped by my blog and I wanted to say hi in return. Thanks so much for visiting.

Michelloui said...

Lovely! Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see more of you (always pleasant to have comments from insightful people).

What I like about your blog is the enchanting way you view the world, the love and respect you have of the everyday.

Will be here again!

Kathy B! said...

This is such a beautifully written reminder to stop and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. I loved this post :)

Anonymous said...

What a thoughtful post. I enjoyed it alot. Thanks to Michelle for dropping by my blog. Now I've discovered your's.

4 Lettre Words said...

That makes my heart melt. Love it!

S said...

Whenever I get down or think my life sucks, I think about how much I have, my health, my family.

It could always be so much worse. Thanks for reminding me.


Ok yes Im a gamer but you are going to think Im a dork because I like kid games.
There is one adult game thought that husband and I are having fun with called Utherverse. Totally kinky!
Here are my favorite games and yes I am a dork:
Gem Drop
Virtual Villagers 1, 2, and 3
Teddy Factory
Cubis 2

and of course I love tetris and those sort of shape fitting games too.

Nice to meet you!

patty said...

hi michelle, thanks for visiting my blog, glad to read yours, which I need to help .....




hola michelle,gracias por visitar mi blog,encantada de poder leer el tuyo,lo que necesites estoy para ayudarte.....

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

My cats looks so cute when they are sleeping (which si about 20 hours of the day)!

The Girl With The Mousy Hair said...

Hi thanks for visiting my blog and making me think.
I think I would notice a gorilla in my lounge, but you never know ,he might be in the corner.

Pseudo said...

Very cool post.

Mona said...

Very thought provoking. Indeed we are like somnambulists in our lives, totally unaware of our immediate predicament and worrying or lamenting about past or future.

We have a lot to be thankful for!

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, ya gotta make me think tonight, huh? Just kidding, very good points. I often think along these lines.

sarah @ life {sweet} life said...

Wonderful thoughts, and beautifully written!!

Tiz said...

Michelle, thanks for visiting Prayerfully Yours, Jen. Visit anytime.

Tiz

Sophia said...

This post is in tune with my contemplation for the day - of Binah on the tree of life.

This blog reminds me very much of a friend of mine. You may like his blog, too. Here is the address:

http://memkey.blogspot.com/

studio lolo said...

I have a saying that I write on the backs of the envelopes of letters I write. It simply says "I believe there is magic in every moment. We just have to be awakewned to it."
Like your sleeping feline friend, he already knows that.
;)