{"id":11377,"date":"2014-01-01T04:50:51","date_gmt":"2014-01-01T09:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=11377"},"modified":"2014-01-08T08:44:02","modified_gmt":"2014-01-08T13:44:02","slug":"moving-into-the-new-year-and-taking-lessons-from-our-cats-along-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/moving-into-the-new-year-and-taking-lessons-from-our-cats-along-the-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving Into the New Year and Taking Lessons From Our Cats Along the Way"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"new-year-2014\"<\/a>

Zee<\/p><\/div>\n

I can\u2019t lie to you \u2013 2013 was not my favorite year.\u00a0 There was a lot of angst, stress, and unforeseen circumstances that made life emotionally challenging and difficult to bear. But that\u2019s not to say that the year wasn\u2019t filled with incredible good and joy as well. I have been able to continue down my cat loving path with many new doors opening and I just spent the last couple of weeks with my family surrounding me.<\/p>\n

\"mia-new-year\"<\/a>

Mia<\/p><\/div>\n

And mind you, just like other families, mine is not perfect \u2013 we have the battle wounds of life and struggle just like everyone else to get through the day in one piece. But we love one another fiercely and having them around served as a gentle reminder not to take anything for granted. My plate is exceedingly full \u2013 I have friends, family, a man who loves me, seven adoring cats, food on my table, a job, a roof over my head, and my health. Not everyone can say that and I don\u2019t take any of it lightly.<\/p>\n

\"2014RolzDecisions\"<\/a>

Rolz<\/p><\/div>\n

But I also know that with each New Year comes new possibilities and as we enter 2014 I look forward to a personal rejuvenation and I hope I can inspire the same for many of you who would like a fresh start. Just because last year was difficult does not mean that this year has to be and I liken the thought process to that of a cat \u2013 take those battles and obstacles in front of you and use them as an incentive to persevere and rise above the fray.<\/p>\n

\"2014Peanut-(2)\"<\/a>

Peanut<\/p><\/div>\n

Cats are problem solvers, survivors, living examples of the \u201ceasier said than done\u201d of life. They constantly live in seize the moment mode as any little mouse who dares to cross their path will tell you, they don\u2019t dwell with regret in the past, and they don\u2019t live in crippling fear of what the future holds (unless the dreaded pet carrier comes out). Every day is a brand new start for them and I think us humans could learn a lot as we start this New Year from the behavior of our wise feline friends.<\/p>\n

Rather than focusing on what we don\u2019t have or what we think we can\u2019t do, insurmountable issues in our mind, if we decided to adapt to circumstances rather than let them define or defeat us, those adaptations become victories, no matter how small or large they may be. In other words, if you allow yourself mental flexibility and break down the rigid constraints of your world, you are more likely to encounter the positive in life rather than the negative because you are open to new possibilities.<\/p>\n

\"2014LittleKizzy2\"<\/a>

Kizmet<\/p><\/div>\n

How many times have you seen a cat jump to the top of something that seemed impossibly high? Often they do it in one swift, single leap. But if they can\u2019t make it, they either try again, or they find another way to get up there. The point is, they don\u2019t give up. And trust me, I know that it\u2019s not always easy \u2013 life is far from ideal and the best laid plans or intentions have a tendency to derail along the way. I have had many a goal or project I have pursued that has been rejected or ignored a hundred times over and it will happen a hundred more times again this year alone as I move forward with new ideas and goals. But it only serves to make me try harder, or to be more creative, or more bold because all it takes is one yes, but you will never get that one yes unless you try and that is why I am so excited for a fresh new start.<\/p>\n

\"2014zoey\"<\/a>

Zoey<\/p><\/div>\n

For those of you, like me, who are looking forward to a new year, a fresh start, and new challenges and goals, I hope that you find the inner strength to reinvent yourself, to dare to dream, and to be willing to venture into areas that are out of your comfort zone. \u00a0If you are frustrated looking for a new job, keep your mind open by learning new skills and by applying for positions that you might otherwise pass by. Don’t take everything literally – you might be exactly what someone is looking for but if you give up before you even try, you will never know. Or if this is the year that you plan on writing a book, then do it. You don’t have to write a best-selling novel, but you at least have to get the ball rolling by starting with the first sentence. If you are looking for a new relationship, take the first step and say hello to that person, if you are looking to end one, take that first step in saying goodbye.<\/p>\n

\"0142014Harley-(2)\"<\/a>

Harley<\/p><\/div>\n

Whatever it is for you, no matter how large or small the goal, just be kind to yourself and others. If 2013 has taught me anything, it is that life is fleeting and that you don’t get a rewind button. Time moves on and all you really have is what is in front of you at the moment. Appreciate it, cherish it, make the most of it and don’t waste precious time with anger, regret, or bitterness.<\/p>\n

I wish you all the best this year and I hope you follow the inspirational lead of your cats. Or not\u2026 I just remembered that Harley has not moved off the couch since 2009 so maybe she\u2019s not the best example of reinvention, creativity, and boldness. Although I must admit that she is very happy living in the moment of her divine laziness and I certainly can\u2019t fault her for that\u2026 Come to think of it, I think more relaxation and napping time in 2014 probably wouldn’t be the worst advice in the world for a highly driven lunatic like myself who needs to slow down a bit and relax now and again! Balance… that’s what’s 2014 should be all about…<\/p>\n

Naps to All and Happy New Year from the Zee and Zoey Gang!<\/p>\n

\"Jazz-on-Bed-web\"<\/a>

Mr. Jazz<\/p><\/div>\n

A special New Year wish to my beloved Mr. Jazz who taught me to be a kinder, more tolerant, and patient person last year. He is my eternal muse and\u00a0inspiration\u00a0for much moving forward this year. R.I.P. my darling boy and I hope\u00a0you are finding much love, friendship, and comfort from those kitty friends who have also crossed over the bridge with you. My heart goes out to all who have gone through a loss and may your heart heal in time…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I hope you enjoy all the photo quotes – please click to enlarge if you would like to see them magnified.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I can\u2019t lie to you \u2013 2013 was not my favorite year.\u00a0 There was a lot of angst, stress, and unforeseen circumstances that made life emotionally challenging and difficult to bear. But that\u2019s not to say that the year wasn\u2019t filled with incredible good and joy as well. I have been able to continue down […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,3],"tags":[746,1265,745,523],"class_list":["post-11377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-blogging-writing","category-inspiration-healing","tag-746","tag-cats","tag-lessons-learned","tag-new-year"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/2014zoey.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11377"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11402,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377\/revisions\/11402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}