Our cat Cinnamon can always find the warmest place in the house.
It’s too early this autumn season to have our airtight woodstove/fireplace going strong every day.
So our pragmatic kitty seeks out solar energy to get his heat fix until he can sleep the rest of winter away on his cozy blanket in front of the hearth.
Most early mornings as we sit having coffee in the living room, Cinnamon deliberately places himself somewhere along the path of the sunlit trajectory streaming in from the window, sometimes choosing an awkward huddle in between pieces of furniture, or moving to crouch in a swath of light on the area rug in the middle of the hardwood floor.
He seldom seems really settled or physically comfortable in those positions at first – a contrast to the look of extreme relaxation that comes over his face after pausing there for a few moments.
Cinnamon is quite tenacious about his priority to get his dose of pleasurable warmth each morning.
It got me thinking: why do I stay in the cold shadows of doubt, fear and insecurity when I could easily just move myself to my creative practice, my own ‘sunshine spot’?
I don’t know about you, but when I move forward, despite the discomfort of those feelings and do the work – regardless of how many legitimate stressful circumstances or distractions I have to deal with – an inevitable warm flush of satisfaction, reassurance or well-being (or all three!) flows through me.
Victory over resistance and procrastination feels like a sunny day at the beach!
Sometimes I’m even pleased with what was produced in that time, amazed once again by the magic of losing sense of time and place while being in creative flow.
So just for today go to your writing, your photography, your painting, your artistic endeavor. Answer that creative call – happy, sad, mad or glad.
Let yourself bask in the satisfying glow in the ‘sunshine spot’ of having honored your creative work. Then try it again tomorrow and the tomorrow after that.
As I’ve said before, you and the world will be much better for it.
I have six feline companions. I’ve noticed a rhythm among the horde. They seem to take what I call a “waiting on the sun nap” which is a deep sleep that happens after breakfast and morning territorial and washing activities.
When the early afternoon sun starts beaming through my windows, cats come alive and one by one, all of them ease into a comfy spot in the sun! They seem happiest, most content in the “sunny spot.” I often see cats that don’t even like each other be in close proximity and at peace when they are being warmed by the sun. There’s a respect for each other during sun time. No one fights until night time.
Makes me smile to think of saying “this is my ‘cat time’” or my “sunshine spot” for moments of creative bliss! (Thanks Sue and Carole)
I love cat stories! Nice to meet Cinni Carole!
When I was reading your lovely description of your felines in their own ‘sunshine spot’ ritual, I had quite the mental image of all of them congregating in their own version of group meditation. Just think how wonderful it does feel to bask in the warmth of the sun, eh?
Three cheers to frequent sunny, creative bliss, alone and with others
This is so true! I also get a lovely warm glow when I’m writing. I always feel happier, healthier and more energetic when I’ve devoted at least a little part of my day to something creative.
Jessica Baverstock recently posted..Guest Post on Word Strumpet
Jessica, thanks for the encouraging feedback. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work too
Yet another wonderful lesson from a cat! Cats are definitely pleasure-seekers. They never seem embarrassed by indulging themselves in whatever they enjoy. Maybe this is why a friend of mine refers to the time she spends sequestered in her office reading, writing and working on projects as her “cat time.”
I am currently without a cat or a fireplace (I know, pitiful!) so I will remember this metaphor and take the same type of pleasure in my creative work.
Sue Mitchell recently posted..From Overwhelm to Action: The Girl Effect
Oh Sue, how purr-fect is your friend’s name for her creative practice time? LOL. I’m gonna start calling it ‘Cat Time’ too. I’m sure Cinni will approve as he’s usually hanging around only a few cat tail lengths away from me when I’m in my office or in the living room working on my projects
Too bad it’s so far for you to travel, or I’d invite you over for some Parallel-Universe time in front of our fireplace this winter!
Nearly every night I ask my husband if its cold enough for a fire yet and so far he keeps saying no. Of course, I’m always cold, so I’d have started having fires a month ago! My kitties do the same thing, find themselves a patch of sunshine to bask in. I love the way you use this as a metaphor for how we keep ourselves in the cold of fear and anxiety. I think I may just light my self a fire tonight, no matter how warm it is, to remind myself of this and find my own sunshine spot.
Charlotte Rains Dixon recently posted..Guest Post: Jessica Baverstock on What’s Your Story?
Hiya Charlotte,
I’m smiling ‘cuz my hubby has been saying exactly the same thing to me lately. To be fair, we’ve been having unseasonably warm days so far this fall. However, tonight’s the night for sure since Indian Summer seems over now in our neck of the woods and temperature will start to dip down quite low at sundown. Enjoy cozying up to the warmth of your fire with your kitties and your notebook