Ringing in a Positive, Happy, and Healthy New Year with a Little Help from My Cats
For the past couple of years I’ve started New Year’s off by sharing some quotes that feel particularly relevant to where I am at my life and where I’d like to be moving forward. They’re not meant to be resolutions per se, but rather a roadmap to help guide my inner self down a road of personal growth, peace, and happiness (please click any of the images to enlarge). This year is no different and I found the overwhelming theme to what I want is to rid myself of as much as possible is negativity.
Whether it’s from people around me or the world at large as I see it on the television or social venues, negative energy can hit you with rapid fire succession on a daily basis and unless you can diffuse it, it can be toxic to the soul and counterproductive to a happy and fulfilling life.
I’m certainly practical enough to know that an inspirational quote or two (or nine as in the case of today’s post) is not the magic button to making it all go away, and I’m also practical enough to know that you just can’t eliminate certain people or the world out of your life if they bring you down. But negativity can be managed. Walk away. Change the channel. Shut it off and remain true to the good that is in yourself. Set the bar for optimism – you’d be surprised just how contagious the power of positive energy is to those around you.
As always, these are the lessons I’ve learned through the example of my wise cats. If something adversely bothers them, they typically react in two possible ways: One – a quick fight that is resolved nearly seconds later as witnessed in a shared catnap. In other words, don’t harbor the negative energy – redirect it to something positive and move on.
Or two – by deciding if it’s worth exerting the energy for a battle or if it’s just better to let it go and seek high ground rather than get involved in a negative altercation that will only serve to bring you down. If it’s worth the battle, their claws will come out full force to defend what they feel is unjust.
I think this past year more so than ever, just like a mother cat protecting her babies, I have gone to battle for what I believe in. And moving forward, I will continue protecting what I believe in rather than letting circumstances dictate me like I might have years ago. The other stuff – very rarely do I let it get to me. Life is just too short to carry grudges, anger, or resentments that do nothing to enhance the quality of my life.
Perspective. That’s always the key. Looking at life half-full, rather than half-empty. Looking for solutions to problems, rather than complaining about what is wrong. If it’s broke, go ahead and try to fix it. So that’s my goal for this year – to just try and be a stronger and mentally happier person. I have a few good things in store that I will share in the weeks to come and as always, I have you, my friends and family, my beautiful cats, and the freedom to be the very best me I chose to be.
Happy New Year to you all – if nothing else be kind. Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. That simple mindset alone can change the world. Have a great day everyone and if you feel like sharing, let me know in the comments what kinds of dreams, goals, resolutions, or visions you have for 2016.
Deb, This is the most beautiful post I’ve read in years. I bookmarked each saying separately and the blog too.
Jazmine has become such a lady.
I adore her!? I’m amazed at how fluffy and long her tail is!!
You should make prints or something to sell of each photo saying, I’d like to hang each one to read easily.
Again, so touching, thank you for the beautiful card as well, I didn’t get any sent.
You are the most beautiful soul and I admire you greatly. All the best for 2016.
Thank you Connie – such a kind comment. I’m glad the post provided you with some beauty and inspiration – and having such lovely kitty models certainly does help! Jazmine is particularly beautiful and she has grown into quite the young lady!
It’s been awhile, but I’ll have to get some cards back on Zazzle with quotes – thank you for the suggestion and reminder!
Have a blessed 2016 to you and yours. And please, no worries on a card… Your loving spirit and support is all that matters.
All wonderful and thoughtful quotes. thank you so much for sharing!
Wishing you a purrfectly pawesome Mew Year!
You are so very welcome Maxwell, Faraday, and Allie!
An important message, enhanced by your beautiful photos. Happy New Year to you, Dan and the kitties – may it be filled with health, happiness, purrs and positivity!
Thank you Ingrid – I wish the same for you, Ruby, and Allegra!
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Sue!
Have the Happiest of Mew Years Deb and Dan. May your beautiful kitties continue to be healthy, happy and to continue to bring you both all the joy, love and laughter that they give so unconditionally to you guys.
Our friendship means a lot to me- and I love the work you do for all cats.
Many, many blessings!
Thank you Jo – I appreciate our friendship as well and I am so excited for you this New Year as you welcome your newest feline friend into your family!
Those are quotes that we all need to live by. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
You are very welcome Island Cats! Glad you liked the quotes!
Fabulous post! The photos made the quotes even better!
Happy New Year!
The Florida Furkids
Thank you Florida Furkids!
We have a positive attitude, we’re positive you are an amazing person! Happy New Year from all of us!
Awww! Thank you Brian – our first smile of the New Year!! We think you’re pretty amazing too!
Happy New Year
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Thanks for the New Year snorts Lily and Edward!!
Wonderful thoughts to have and hold any day of the year to make every day the best it can be. We hope they all hold true for you and yours this year and always!
Thank you Creative Cat – sometimes words are easier said than done, but we are going to try our best to make each and every day as positive as can be!
Great quotes. Thanks for putting them on here. We sure wish you a very Happy and very Healthy New year for everyone and every cat.
You are very welcome Marg. All the best to you and yours.
Happy New Year. We wish the exact same thing for you. You have lots of wealth if you have good health and happiness.
So very true, Mariodacat. Thank you for the good wishes!
These are lovely quotes and beautiful photos.
Thank you Flynn!
Purrfect quotes for the New Year. Our Christmas snail mail card to you all came back – Mom messed up the address. Sorry about that. Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Aww… that’s okay on the card Cats of Wildcat Woods – we hope your holiday was nice as well.
Love your quotes and picfures. Your blog always makes us smile to see all the beautiful kitties. Happy New Year friends. We hope you all (humans included) have a very healthy and happy 2016.
Thank you so much Mariodacat – we are happy to be able to provide a smile now and again!
Yep awnty Deb, mommy’s been livin’ this way fur years. Specially after hers accident when fings were so bleak and hers purrognosis dire, she sed she had to live wiff pawsitivity or just curl up and die. And she had lots more kitties to luv afur dyin’, so she twies to put a pawsitive spin on al fings. Those dat can’t be…she dusn’t acknowledge them. MOL (there’s a few she has tooo, but she twies to get past those really fast. Have a very happy New Year. Luv da fotos by da way.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
We are so glad your mommy is such a strong and loving soul Dezi and Lexi. She inspires us and we wish all of you a blessed New Year.
Those are all thoughtful and inspiring quotes, Mum always reads quickly quotes first, and then takes time to read them later again : they “speak” better to her mind like this. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2016 ! Purrs
I can relate to that Swiss Cats – I like to ponder quotes before I decide which runs really hit my heart the most.
Deb you always share such beautiful photographs and inspiring posts.
I hope 2016 is everything you hope for.
Happy Mew Year!
Thank you Annabelle – I appreciate your comment and hope that 2016 will be kind to you.
Happy New Year !!!
I wish 2016 is the best year for you and your fameowly.
Lots of love
xox
Thanks Mr. Puddy!! Much love to you and yours as well!
All great things to remember. TW resolved a few years ago to stop watching the news altogether. She still well informed but now reads and gets the news she wants to hear. She doesn’t need to hear guys bashing each other when neither are right. Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year to you and yours.
I’m with TW on that one CK… I prefer not to watch the news – it’s impossible in today’s world not to be well informed, but sitting down to a full hour or so every day hearing about people killing one another just doesn’t help make things any better.