Meaning in Life


     I love both cats and dogs, though my love for dogs came later than for cats.  Growing up, we had a matriarch feline who hated dogs and chased them all away--literally.  Plus, my grandfather had a small mean terrier that always scared me.  Now I find myself melting over a happy, healthy dog.  I ask you, what’s better than a big canine smile?
      As for cats?  I still adore those sometimes obnoxious little beasts. 
One of the many cats I've known in my life
      Over and over, you hear stories of dogs who abound with love despite the horrible abuse or neglect that humans have dished out to them.  Cats are a little trickier.  They’re naturally conservative and skeptical and they tend to be more me-centered than dogs. 
     There’s a cat I’ve read about on the Internet.  His name was Grandpa Mason.  He was feral and when captured he was ill and not expected to live for very long.  But his rescuers wanted him to have some comfort and pleasant times before he died.  They shared a large space with him and their major frustration was that he was suspicious of those human hands that wanted to pet him.
Two feral cats a fellow author and I feed
     But it turned out that Grandpa Mason was a natural foster dad for rescued kittens and was never happier than when he had a batch around him.  He gave them love and training, while they return his affection in full measure.  He out-lived his initial prognosis by well over two years. 
      My guess is that purpose and meaning are life-extenders and sweetening it with love makes it even more powerful.  Maybe that’s a lot to draw from a cat, but who’s to say?  I’ve definitely seen it happen with people.  Knowing our lives have purpose makes a difference. 
      What gives meaning to your life?  Your Christmas?  Your other holiday celebrations?






Comments

  1. I’ve read recently that studies reveal the benefits to physical and mental health that pets have on humans and your story here definitely supports that. I’ve always been drawn more to dogs but my daughter’s cat is something special. He’s figured out how to open cupboard doors and knows where his jar of catnip is hidden. For me, my family gives meaning to my life in every way. And you’re so right, Callie, that knowing our lives have purpose and meaning is everything!

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    1. I've read different studies on that as well. One says they'd always assumed animals in convalescent hospitals would be a problem, yet they sound fewer infections and more cognitive response when animals were there.
      I've always lived with cats, but do love dogs and have different ones I "visit." When my elderly cat died last year, I got more involved with feeding some feral cats. They look at me so fearfully and yet so hopeful that we'll keep feeding them and not suddenly turn mean.

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  2. I recently learned about Grandpa Mason too! There is a lot to be said about having purpose in life. I often say that I don't want to be busy every day, but I want to be purposeful every day. I would add that having things to look forward to are important too!

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    1. I don't want or need to be busy every single second of the day. But I do want what I do to have meaning. And it's great to look forward to things. I've thought about that because I know a woman whose family recently threw her a surprise party for her birthday. I'm sure she enjoyed the surprise, but it was a huge bash and I couldn't help wondering if anticipating it might have also been fun. Grandpa Mason's story is a great one and I've enjoyed following the other cats who've come their way.

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  3. I've seen this quote: “Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” ― Immanuel Kant.

    I love your story of Grandpa Mason, especially since male cats aren't always kind to kittens. Your feral cats are lovely.

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    1. Kant had some serious wisdom going there. Yes, it's interesting about male cats. I'm not sure if being fixed makes a different in how they react to kittens and I don't know whether Grandpa Mason was altered. His story is Facebook and I think YouTube. I was so sad when he died, but so glad he had the extra time in comfort, love and purpose.

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  4. I love Grandpa Mason's story, and I like Beth's rules for happiness, too. I think they're almost absolute. Although the phrase "meaning of life" has always been out there on the periphery, I haven't thought much about it. I've been blessed, I guess, to have always felt there was one.

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    1. I believe that life does have meaning, but people sometimes seem to get lost and live as if there isn't any. I was a speaker at a college graduation and spoke about the goal not necessarily being to have easy lives but meaningful ones instead. A number of people talked to me afterwards and were glad that I'd used that imagery.

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