Changing this world around...

When I said "let's talk about changing the world around"

August looked up and gave me the look!

Ollie, on the other hand, dashed off!


So I shared what I had been reading on the theme of social transformation, socio-economic development and the like.

It is not a secret that we (for the most part) live in a world that considers conflict as a natural expression of human existence. What if there was a paradigm shift and we chose 'unity' as the force directing social norms. Would that change our world for the better?

August suggested the following attitude shifts:

a. frank and loving instead of frank and adversarial
b. analytical and respectful instead of critical and blunt
c. confident and modest instead of confident and brash
d. knowledgeable and generous vs knowledgeable and manipulative
e. friendly and genuine instead of friendly and calculating (deceitful)
f. vigilant and open instead of defensive and suspicious
g. empowered and self-sacrificing vs powerful and self-interested
h. well-trained and nurturing instead of well-trained and cunning
i. competent and humble vs competent and overly assertive

I gasped with amazement. Where does he get such ideas in his head.
Ollie, on the other hand, quickly took to the books!



I will be spending a good deal of time thinking; this is a long list but I believe well worth the time.

Cat boys waved their paws in gesture of love and friendliness and sent a few smooches to sweeten their friends' night hours and day!

Ciao!

Are we forgetting something...

A warm and sunny February Saturday in Pasadena,

a late-blooming tulip tree,

two cat boys doodling away in the backyard,

and 5 hours later, still doodling, but now indoors!

A tired Ollie cat resting

his little tired paws.


A tired August preparing

to nap!

I took off my lovely Umberdove apron, which makes me look gorgeous when I do housework,

and tout d'un coup, I remembered that the lovely dove was having a giveaway that should not be missed!

Just to let you know, August loves this little dovely bird


and Ollie loves this pillow,

every quadrant of it!

Mommie cat loves the apron, the print, the pillow cover, and perhaps much more! She now has to go back to umberdove to review her assignments for entering the giveaway. : )

Happy Valentine's Day everyone...catch those kittie kisses, August and Ols blew off a few pawfuls for everyone!

Ciao!

In need of Focus...

First off take a look at this picture from friend and colleague, Angel Di'Bilio, who besides being a super scientist is also the future photographer of our cat boys!



You may wish to click on this link to rate his photo!

Second, kittie mom senses that she needs FOCUS! Arghh! August and Olser boy quickly volunteered to show me how to focus.


Here's Ollie staring without a single wink. He mumbled, 'Hey Mommie, this is how I focus!'

And here's August. 'Watch mommie, I am focusing on the birdie!"


After watching them teach me how to focus we read:

"...So long as the thoughts of an individual are scattered he will achieve no results, but if his thinking be concentrated on a single point wonderful will be the fruits thereof. One cannot obtain the full force of the sunlight when it is cast on a flat mirror, but once the sun shineth upon a concave mirror, or on a lens that is convex, all its heat will be concentrated on a single point, and that one point will burn the hottest. Thus is it necessary to focus one’s thinking on a single point so that it will become an effective force..."

I will be practicing how to focus tonight and cat boys will be watching me to make sure that I do not get distracted!

We wish everyone focused powers and a delightful Friday filled with little cat kisses!

Ciao!

When I said that it was time to read...

August peeked his little head down the stairs

and Ollie made faces,

and that's fairly normal behavior in this household.

We read the passage below concerning physical suffering. You know the recurring distressing news on the TV had the cat boys all concerned and anxious. I assured them that brave hearts that they are they would not have to worry about challenges, and that furthermore, Sylvester and I would be always there to take care of them.

"As to your question concerning the meaning of physical suffering and its relation to mental and spiritual healing. Physical pain is a necessary accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering, in various forms and degrees. But suffering, although an inescapable reality, can nevertheless be utilized as a means for the attainment of happiness. This is the interpretation given to it by all the prophets and saints who, in the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and experienced what is best and holiest in life. Suffering is both a reminder and a guide. It stimulates us to better adapt ourselves to our environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self-improvement. In every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our suffering has passed that we become aware of its usefulness. What man considers to be evil turns often to be a cause of infinite blessings. And this is due to his desire to know more than he can. God's wisdom is, indeed, inscrutable to us all, and it is no use pushing too far trying to discover that which shall always remain a mystery to our mind." (Lights of Guidance, 2nd Edition, p. 280)

Well, doodles agreed immediately that there was no use pushing too far trying to discover obtuse meanings behind everything. They have a lot to do (catching little mousies and chasing after squirrels, among other things).

With that we made little kisses with our lips and sent them off to wish everyone a lovely new day!

Ciao!

When cat boys go to work...

they set out together at first.

But in no time Ollie wonders if he really should go in such a hurry.

Perhaps not, he thinks...and so he lays down to look around! Is there any bird around to feast my eyes on, he thinks.

August, on the other hand, does not waste too much time,

and gets to his desk muy temprano o en bonne heure. He does customer service work!


The weekend was muy ocupado and there was little time to read, reflect, and meditate together...so we all winked at each other meaning that we will do it next time.

Cat boys wish all a great Monday (whether you decide to show up on time or to take a little side excursion on your way to office) and blow little kisses into the air with their little paws!

Ciao!

Cat boys wish you

Da Bird...

The cat boys received a delightful present known as Da Bird. This feathery toy is far more entertaining than the real thing because it maneuvers about more skillfully and swiftly. So for the last two days I have two doodles on my tail because they expect to see a bird fly around me at any moment.

At night I asked the boys what they wanted to read and they told me that it would have to do with birds and wings.
So here's a duck (courtesy of my colleague Angel Di Bilio)



and a reading!

"The world of humanity has two wings - one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible."

BIC Document #99-0301/UN Document #E/CN.6/1999/NGO/4

The doodles wish you a happy weekend and colorful birds for entertainment...

Ciao!

Les pedi una pregunta simple...

I asked our doodles a very simple question. What do you two cats want in this world?




They said, without any hesitation of course:

"...an uplifted heaven, an outspread earth, rising suns, gleaming moons, scintillating stars, crystal fountains, flowing rivers, subtle atmospheres, sublime palaces, lofty trees, heavenly fruits, rich harvests, warbling birds, crimson leaves, and perfumed blossoms..." (Baha'u'llah)

'Pulling my leg again', I thought but a good list to envision. I asked them no other questions, those smart boys are fast.

We wish all a wonderful Miercoles and cat boys send all pawfuls of kisses!

Ciao!