Nip It In The Bud

Day 287

“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.”

– Mark Twain

I took my cat to the vet yesterday for her annual checkup. After her examination, the doctor told me that Ippa is “in intensely good health.” She suffered from mild asthma as a kitten, so I was pleased to find out there seemed to be no trace of it anymore. The doctor called this morning to let me know that the results from the lab tests confirmed that everything was as it should be – Ippa got an A+ on her health report.

During the visit, I answered routine questions about Ippa’s diet, which is almost entirely dry food. Dry food has a higher carbohydrate content compared to the vet recommended wet foods. However, as much as I try – which is every day, Ippa doesn’t eat wet food anymore. In reference to getting Ippa to eat more wet food, the doctor suggested I read an article about how to feed cats that would “change my life.”

I read the article today. It was full of the author’s fear-based beliefs about the negative effects that dry food might have on a cat’s health. In almost every paragraph of the 58-page article, there was a warning in bold letters “but my cat is “fine” on dry food!” to scare any readers who didn’t buy into the dangers of dry food into changing their cats’ diets.

Being aware of the dangers of limiting beliefs, I didn’t read all the potential risks to my cat’s health at some point in the future if I didn’t feed her wet food now. I did, however, make an attempt at starving my cat for the sake of her health because the vet had suggested I try to increase her wet food intake. So, for the next few hours, I took away her dry food, and left out a bowl of wet food, which she ignored. She was visibly hungry, yet I didn’t budge.

Then I had a thought:

Ippa is in intensely good health.

I realized that I was buying into the limiting beliefs of others, and focusing on worry and fear, rather than having an abundance mindset. Why would I worry about something that doesn’t even exist when I know my thoughts create my reality? Do I want to create health problems for Ippa by focusing on what might happen if I don’t do something about a situation that doesn’t exist?

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

– Corrie ten Boom

I immediately replenished my poor cat’s dry food bowl, which she happily ate.

Of course, I will continue to put out the wet food, and visualize her eating it, and eventually, I know she will, as long as I believe it, and focus on what I do want.

Focusing on what you don’t want attracts more of the same into your life – and that’s when you are actually experiencing an unwanted situation. Don’t let fears about something that doesn’t even exist make it a reality.

“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.”

– Dan Zadra

In the meantime, count your blessings, you have many.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!