Category Archives: life coaching

cat, clever, life coaching

Lessons in Fairness and Patience

Sitting patiently, waiting for Mom and Dad to be done writing
Sitting patiently, waiting for Mom and Dad to be done writing

I, Clive, love both of my parents the same. When they are home and writing, I sit where I can see both of them. Dad sits at the dining room table, and Mom on the living room couch. Luckily we have a fairly small apartment. I lay on the floor right in between them. Or I go to both of them for attention—and, when I think it’s time to eat—for food.

But do you know what my favorite time is? It’s when they snuggle together. Tonight when Daddy came home, he laid down next to Mommy in the bed for about 20 minutes before they went to a Bible study. I got up right in between them, and I purred my loudest, roaring purr. I snorted, hummed and sighed with wondrous delight. Then they had to get up and go, though.

Now they are both back home, writing. Mom is sharing my thoughts with you—here—and my dad is sharing his story about when he knew he wanted my Mommy to be his Honey. I wish these words would flow faster because I can’t be fed until they go to bed—and they can’t go to bed until they finish these blogs.

So here I lay—right back in the middle of the floor. I keep doing my best roll over and play cute and playful sigh to get one of them to notice me. When they keep looking at those silver half boxes with black keys, I go to Daddy and howl a few times, and roll over at his feet and show my stomach off. Then, I go plead my case to Mom.

After neither notice me, I put on a scowl of disappointment, realizing that more food is not going to be available for me to chomp on in the near future.

But, I can’t give up! I try again. I jump up into Mom’s lap. I give her a few kneads on her blanket, a few licks on her arms, and then I give her a slight nibble—just so she knows I am still waiting. She still doesn’t respond, but I know I can’t hurt her or I will get in trouble. So,I start kneading again. That loving action enables me to distract myself from my food quest—and I am able to do what I do best—love my humans as I am just being with them and waiting patiently for them.

Spiritual Insights

Sometimes I get impatient with God the way that Clive gets impatient with me. I really want what I want—and I want it now. But I know, in my heart of hearts, that God knows what is best for me when. After a sufficient, cat-like tantrum, I relax and lay and wait for God, and remember His instructions to His children:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 1Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12–14).

cat, clever, life coaching

Interruptions Are Invaluable

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One of my favorite interruptions…The Mama Sandwich

Hello humans, Clive here. I’m feeling a little on the philosophical side lately, and so, for a few posts, Mom and I are beginning to share reflections about famous quotes from my namesake, C.S. Lewis. 

Today we start with:  “The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one’s life.”
—Collected Works of C. S. Lewis” (1994)

I know that my entire life is made up of interruptions. I was created to have my prowling and napping interrupted by the companionship of my humans—and I am thrilled by it each time. I never know what my people are going to do, nor am I ever in control of their actions.

I just know that I can be in a deep cat nap, dreaming of playing with a mouse, and Mom moves, and I am so excited to wake up and follow her wherever she is going.

I do more than follow, though. I interrupt her back by trying to stand in front of her so that she will stop and pet me along her way.

If she goes to the kitchen, I interrupt her from cooking or doing dishes with howling and begging because I am sure that she will make something yummy and share a little portion of it with me. I really use that interruption to go after my passion.

Sometimes she interrupts my nap because I look so cuddly just to pet me, or use me as a pillow, in what she calls a mamma sandwich. I love it—but not forever. I don’t like to admit that her head will squash me after a while because I am a burly 23 pounds, but I have to tell her and meow after a few minutes that her head gets heavy on my back.

Even when my parents feed me each morning, I interrupt myself after a couple bites of nourishment to greet to run out and greet them affectionately for a few minutes before I go and devour the rest of my morning meal.

I am not stressed by interruptions…I like them—and maybe some part of them knows that they are unavoidable, since they are caused by humans—and humans are bigger than cats. Sometimes I wonder why humans are so distressed, when their loving Heavenly Father causes interruptions. He is bigger than they are, just like my humans are bigger than me. He causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28), just like my humans are always looking out what’s best for me.

Maybe it’s just about a slight shift in perspective. Maybe the frustrations can become joys…and maybe you will begin to treasure the interruptions like I do.

Mom’s Musings

Sometimes appreciating interruptions is as simple as anticipating blessings from them. I encourage you to be observant of your changed circumstances. Ask God to show you a purpose in deviating your plans. Ask Him to help let you heart be open so that you can receive an unexpected blessing. I’ve received more of these than I can count. Clive and I will talk more about this tomorrow.

Get a sneak peak about an interruption today on my husband’s blog, Hiking with Your Honey.

business advice, cat, clever, life coaching

Living Up to My Name

Clive in his best British pose...sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade
Clive in his best British pose…sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade

The first human I knew as mom named me after a famous author and theologian, C.S. Lewis. C.S. is short for Clive Staples. C.S. Lewis’ nickname was Jack—and so is mine. I answer to both Clive and Jack.

One reason why my mom, who writes this blog and adopted me, looks for insights from me about life and God is because of my name.

Because Mom loves me, she has done some research about the man I was named after, and hopes to read more of his books someday. Mom read Mere Christianity many years ago. Dad loved The Chronicles of Narnia and the movies made about them.

According to C.S. Lewis’ publisher, Harper Collins Publishing, Lewis wrote more than 30 books including the ones previously mentioned and other well-known classics such as Silent Planet, The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters.

Periodically on this blog, my mom and I may share my thoughts evoked from selected C.S. Lewis quotes.

Today, however, let’s go back and to consider the power and image that names evoke.

In addition to thoughts about the person I am named after, my name evokes other images and actions—much less serious than the ones above:

  • My parents start to talk to me in a British accent when they call me Clive. They have fun with their voices even though Mom’s a Midwestern Southern girl transplant, and Dad naturally talks like a hillbilly from Kentucky combined with boarding school charm.
  • I sit in a very civilized manner, to live up to my British name. I sit up like a human and, because we Brits can be portly (I am a 23-pound feline hunk of love), I have to let my tummy hang out. All that’s missing is my top hat and round reading spectacles on my eyes.
  • I love an afternoon sip of Mom’s tea (or should I call her Mum) followed by a few cat naps—I’m very British indeed—just like my name.

Applications for Business and Life

Do you know who you were named for, if anyone? Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? It can be give you interesting insights to learn your name’s origin and meaning. It can also encourage you to live up to the aspects of your name that you would like to emulate.

What do your family members and friends think when they hear your name? Have you ever asked them to describe your personality with three adjectives? Try it! It can be fun.

If you have a small business, what impressions come to your audience or clients when they hear your name or your business name? Why not ask them or survey them sometime and find out?

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