Learning Optimism and Displaying Authentic Happiness

Our mamma knows the world is troubled right now. She seeks solace in hunkering down with us at home during this global pandemic. She is very fortunate to work-from-home and be safe during the current state of our country. She is well-aware that not everyone is able to work-from-home, she talks to us all the time about how blessed she feels, and how she is in a constant state of prayer for people unemployed or people employed who have to be in the public and work in these trying conditions.  

Throughout the years, mamma has learned optimism and is constantly displaying joy. She jokes that she was born with a joy filled heart, but her life has not been free of negativity. Can anyone really say their life hasn't had their share of troubles? 

She is often asked how she can maintain such a joyful outlook in deep times of trouble, we have heard her explain many times that it is a choice. Some days are harder than others to display authentically happiness. Being happy doesn't mean there isn't pain or negativity faced - sometimes on the daily. 

For anyone wanting to hone in on optimism and happiness, and if you are needing a book recommendation for the winter, check out Flourish by Dr Martin Seligman. 

Dr Seligman uses the acronym “PERMA” to explain the five elements essential to lasting contentment:

• Positive Emotion - can't we all strive to own this?! 
• Engagement - getting busy in a project, a book, helps us be engaged. 
• Relationships - research suggests those of us in meaningful and positive relationships are happier than those who aren't. 
• Meaning - what matters most to you? Is it a cause for your community? What gives your life meaning? 
• Accomplishment/Achievement - consistent intention to achieve gives life significance and satisfaction. What are you striving for to be better each day of your life? 

Us cats are pretty blessed. We can easily define each of these for ourselves to ensure our positive outlook. The squirrel who visits us each day to use the window bird feeder is one thing that brought us great happiness again this week. 

May your Sunday be filled with happiness and gets your week off to a great start! 

Purr & Paw, 🐾

-Stivali.

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Pasqua's Birthday Week!

Hello Readers, 

The week that just passed was filled with much sadness for all Americans. We do not take it lightly, instead, we focus on the good we know exists in humans. Every crisis has a silver lining. One deep thinker, Michelle Dean, said, "Crisis forces commonality of purpose on one another." 

Commonality of purpose. Such a great thought. A strong sense of purpose has a powerful positive effect on our lives. When we have a sense of purpose, we know exactly what we are doing, "on purpose", making life less complicated and less stressful. When you are "on purpose" there is less space for negativity to take over our lives.

You may remember last year, we celebrated Pasqua turning one with this post: Pasqua is one!

This year on his birthday, we are once again reminded of the bountiful joys we receive from our family and friends. We are blessed to have so much love from everyone around us. 

We are thankful for all of the things we have in life, no matter how insignificant they may seem to be. Our mamma teaches us to have an attitude of gratitude and to be optimistic. So we are always hopeful  good things will happen in our future. She says both gratitude and optimism are advantages we have that improve our outlook on life, and it is why we are such happy cats. This is our "on purpose". 

We realize humans have lots of stress, which causes havoc on health, so an attitude of gratitude and an optimistic outlook helps all of us, feline or human, to be more resilient in times of crisis or calm. 

Be "on purpose" with your attitude, and may peace be with you, always.

-Stivali. 🐾

Happiness will never elude you if you begin each day appreciating the countless priceless gifts that life has blessed you with. - Author Unknown.

Two Words

Hello Readers,

This week, my ma's boss opened up a team meeting by asking the following questions:

• What one word would you use to describe how you are feeling today?
• What's one word to describe what you are grateful for today? 

We would like to do this exercise with all of you. If you feel shy and don't want to add it to the comments, just marinade on it, and think about it for your self. 

• How are you feeling today?
• What is one thing you are grateful for today?

We three will go first:

• Today we feel optimistic.
• We are grateful our health.

With the chaos of today's uncertain world, reflecting and sharing our feelings is more important than ever. Connecting with one another will help us stay mentally strong as we adjust to new realities and grieve the loss of our old realities.

Most of us are simply trying to manage our daily lives taking care of our children, parents, work, finances, and learning a new way to live. All the stress we feel related to COVID-19 can transcend to negative feelings like depression and anxiety. This collective trauma that we are all experiencing may feel bleak, but we must stay mentally strong during it. 

We've all read the basics on how to do this - create daily habits, exercise, eat healthy, and connect with our social support system using video calls and social media.

Researches pose the following to stay mentally strong:

• limit news, media exposure, and toxic people
• accept your feelings
• focus on facts
• focus on self-compassion, self-care, and identify your needs

What would you add to the list? How are you staying mentally strong during this? 

Please take good care, and we hope all is well with you and your loved ones. 

Purrs & Paws.

-Stivali & Pasqua. 🐾🐾

The strength of your mind determines the quality of your life. - Edmond Mbiaka.