Yesterday I told you about the power of cat naps. Today I am going to tell you where and how I rest if I am upset and need to regain peace.

I cradle my head in my Daddy’s hand.

I snuggle up to His hand, and let Him rub comfort into my anxious soul.

I don’t have to wonder how or if I am going to get fed—

I just know to cradle my head in His hands.

I don’t have to worry about being alone—

I just know to cradle my head in His hands.

I don’t have to seek something elusive I can’t find—

I just need to cradle my head in His hands.

I don’t have to worry about scratching my own itches—

I just need to cradle my head in His hands.

I would give this advice to any human willing to listen: Cradle your heads in your heavenly Father’s hands. He will soothe you, love you and enable you to rest. He will speak to you, giving you words of comfort, guidance and direction. Just read what the Bible says, and keep resting your head in His hands.

Spiritual Insights

Just like Clive’s human father enables Clive to rest in his hands, our Heavenly Father enables us to give our cares and worries to Him. No matter if your concerns are relational, vocational, physical or emotional, He’s got you covered. As the old Sunday school  song goes, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” If He’s holding everything together, He’s got your life in His hands too. Take comfort in that, as you let the truth of these verses sink in to soothe your soul…

“Cast your cares on him, and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22, NIV).

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ” (Matthew 6:31, NIV).

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10, NLT).

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

I, Clive the Cat, take cat naps all the time—I need a break from exploring, being a human companion, playing with hair ties, begging for protein shakes and even purring. Too much of a good thing can be tiring.

Whenever my eyes get droopy, I let myself sleep. I get even better sleep when I cuddle up to one of my parents. I love it when one or both of them relax with me. It makes me feel like I am still doing my part for them, and taking care of myself too.

I know my feline friends and I wish our human friends would learn this trick. How much better moods would they be in if they all rested for just 30 minutes whenever they had the opportunity? How many more head scratches and love pets would we get if they took a nap and had more energy? How much better would they feel to take care of feeling overly tired, stressed or emotional?

Let’s ask my mom what she thinks. After all, she has many ideas to share, like I do.

Mom’s Musings

I, Clive’s mom, took a cat nap today. I didn’t sleep well last night because of some ongoing issues in my shoulder or because I was thinking about some stressful situations that I faced in the last few days.

Clive is right. My 30-minute cat nap completely changed my day. Before I rested my eyes, I was dragging, fighting to stay awake, unable to complete any task or be fully focused. Clive knew I was not at peace. Seeing him snooze made me get up from the couch and move to the bed and lie down. As soon as I did, he got up and followed me. He jumped up on the bed, snuggled in with me and I dozed off peacefully to the sound of his purrs.

After my cat nap, I:

1. Started to rock through my list of tasks that I had been trying to complete for hours.
2. Was no longer waring with my eyelids that felt like bricks.
3. Came up with ideas that I was struggling to solidify in my tired state before the nap.
4. Could see the best way to order the rest of my day.
5. Began moving forward on several things.
6. Received clarity about how to deal with some difficult challenges.
7. Observed opportunities for growth and learning that I had glazed right before I rested.

The moral of the story? Don’t be afraid or ashamed of taking a cat nap—just set your alarm—for 30 minutes or more. It just may do you a world of good.  🙂

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

I am a pretty simple creature. Give me a lap, the companionship of my family, some food, a head scratch, a cozy space to crawl into—and I’m a happy cat.

Even my entertainment is simple. I don’t need any fancy cat toys. I have had them before. But do you know what my favorite toy is? My mom’s hair tie. She keeps them in her bathroom drawer. I know how to jump up there to get one.

Once the hair tie is on the floor, all I have to do is put my paw through it, and, voila! Instant entertainment! It jumps around and moves down the hall. It kind of dances with me. It’s easier for me to keep up with than a bug or mice, which tend to be faster than me.

A hair tie plays with me at my pace. Once I am done playing with it—say if I need to take a cat nap or get a head scratch—it sits still. I love that it stays there, and is ready to play again when I am.

I also love to carry my round prey around in my teeth. If my parents accidentally leave the toilet cover off, I drop it in the toilet and try to get it out again. But I’m not always very successful at that.

Sometimes my parents have to help me get it out, and then they throw that one away. But my mom has an endless supply of them in her drawer, and they are all the same, so I don’t care if I lose one.

I know my parents love that I am entertained with such a simple thing. What about you? What simple entertainment is lying in front of you?

Need some ideas? My parents love all kinds of simple entertainment:

• Casual conversation
• Laughing together
• Dreaming about the future
• Singing their favorite songs to each other
• Relaxing reading a book
• Staring at the stars from the patio
• Savoring a sunset
• Cuddling by a crackling fire

Read about my parents simple entertainment in nature on my daddy’s blog, Hiking with Your Honey.

And, if you want, share your simple entertainment ideas in the comments below.

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

I, Clive the Cat, howl when my routine isn’t exactly right this morning. My mom is up, but my Daddy isn’t. When I can’t see both of my parents, I get upset. I long for the comfort of both of my parents to be on the couch with me.

Despite my loudest howls, daddy’s Saturday slumber wasn’t broken. He finally relents and gets up after one of his best friends calls and they have a chance to talk.

Meanwhile, Mom is trying to comfort me—to no avail. I need to see my Daddy. I need to see him up and about where I know that he is watching and caring for me.

The moment Daddy gets to the couch, I settle in on his lap, and I am comforted. After a few minutes, I am comforted enough to go rest on my own, but I still lay down on Daddy’s shoes. I show my parents that they can rest at God’s feet like that. I sleep peacefully on Daddy’s shoe for quite some time. Later, I was awakened by a cell phone ring. I am still laying there, but I have to look around and process what to do next. To deal with this new challenge and upsetting circumstance, I need more of Daddy.

The only place I find comfort is in Daddy’s lap. I run back there and jump into my favorite seat. It doesn’t matter what else Daddy is doing—I know my Daddy will stop everything to comfort me—and I am right.

I settle in—showing my parents love by literally “kneeding” them. I dig my paws into the soft blanket that drops across both of my parents’ laps, and we all sit closely to each other on the couch.

Similarly, God, their Heavenly Father, orchestrates and provides comfort for my parent’s lives. He is there watching over them as they sleep. He wakes them up at night. God nudges my parents to notice Him, just because He wants to be with them. Once they look to the Heavenly Father, and they see that He is there, He comforts them—and gives them rest at His feet. When the distractions, trials and difficulties of life surface, just as He had told them, He calls them. They hear Him if they are listening, and they run full speed ahead into His lap. God is delighted when my parents do that every time.

God is also pleased as my parents continue to dig their paws into His Word. He also longs for them to continue to commune with Him in prayer. And this dance of coping and relating and being soothed through life continues. He continues to meet and exceed their needs as my parents respond to God’s signals—and all is well.

Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to providing a second lap for Clive, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

When my parents are getting ready in the morning in the bathroom, I sit by their feet for a while. If they don’t pet me, I jump on the toilet. If they still don’t pet me, I now have figured out that I can jump up onto the toilet cover when it is down.

(They have to keep the cover down so I don’t drink water from the toilet. I think that bowl is huge, and it is fun to try to balance on that bowl and not fall in).

Anyway, jumping on the cover enables me to get my paws up on the counter where my daddy may be shaving or my mom may be putting her make up on. I will get in trouble if I get all the way up there, because I will be in the way or knock stuff off the counter. But I go as far as I can. I push my limits.

I know that in many instances, I am different from my fellow feline friends. In this instance though, I am 100% cat. Do a funniest video of cats search online and you will always find a cat jumping up onto something and falling off. We aren’t scared of trying to get higher and falling. Why are humans fearful of stepping up to the next level, when they are so much bigger?

Applications for Life and Business (from Clive’s mom)

I don’t know about you, but reaching higher becomes easier if you take incremental steps. Like writing this blog, for example. I had wanted to habitually write and share topics dear to my heart for quite some time, but had never taken the plunge.

Then, I began to share pieces of my story in small group settings and even at a conference. That made it easier to begin to share my writing publicly, like I am doing on this blog, but it takes time away from my personal time. However, writing a light and fun topic has made it easier than plunging into the deep issues of the heart. My husband has also started his blog, so we are now pursuing our dreams together.

Starting today, we are taking a step to the next level YIKES! I  am doing the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge to write a 50,000 word book in one month. I know God has been calling me for quite some time to start the journey of changing my journals into my first book. Compiling and sharing those will be easier now that I have shared a portion of my writing on a wider scale in the land of social media.

What about you? What are your goals? What incremental steps are in front of you that you can start now? Why not join us on this first day of the month with a challenge that will help you get started? If we all step up one level at a time, could you imagine all that would be produced? Let’s find out.

Spiritual Insights

If God is calling you to take the next step, he will equip you to do it. Ask Him to help you to have courage to press through any fear, and watch him open up a whole new level of blessing

“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7, ESV).

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to being everywhere Clive is, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

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What is my favorite thing other than loving my parents? It’s my parents Isagenix protein shakes. I love them. I go crazy for them. I hear the blender and I run from anywhere in the apartment to come make sure that I get some of it.

As my parents make it, I get right behind them and beg on my hind legs. I lean on my mom or dad’s legs as one of them blends this delightful concoction. They make me get down and wait, but then I start meowing at the top of my lungs.

Why? Because I don’t give up. I am not a quitter. I howl and cry and howl until they give me a little bit in a small bowl.

And, why do they give it me? Because it’s delicious and nutritious. They wish they hadn’t let me taste it in the first place, but since I am overweight and they both lost weight drinking these shakes, they thought it might work on me too.

I don’t think I’ve lost any weight because they only give me small amounts—a few licks—they drink more than 8 ounces twice a day. But I don’t care. I am passionate about Isagenix because it tastes so good! I admit, I am kind of driven by my appetite. After all, I am a cat, I don’t know any better. What about you?

Applications for Life and Business 

What are you passionate about? Are you driven by behaviors that are good for you? Are you persistent when something that you want is so close that you can taste it?

Today I had a large project that I have wanted to do for quite sometime, and I finally found someone to partner with to make it possible to get it done. That possibility that it was so close kept me motivated to keep going even though it took hours longer than I thought and was having huge technical difficulties. Like Clive going after our protein shakes, I kept pushing (along with some howling) until I got through.

So let me encourage you today, don’t give up as you face challenges if you are striving for something good. It generally gets the most difficult just as you are about to break through the barriers. Your goal may just be attainable with one more try.

Spiritual Insight
If you are tired or discouraged, ask God to help you keep going. 

 “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith” (Gal. 6:9–10, The Message).

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to being everywhere Clive is, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

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I am so happy. My family and I are celebrating two special occasions today. I am posting earlier so that more of you can see how happy I am sooner. (Many of you don’t see what I write until the next day, since my mom usually posts what I say at night).

Representing My Kind Well

First, we are celebrating because it is National Cat Day. Happy cats unite!

My dad says that in general, it seems that men aren’t fans of felines. I’m out to change that travesty today, especially on National Cat Day. He also says that if more men knew me, they might give more cats a chance.

That’s because I am just pleasant to be around, Daddy says. I am a loving, loyal companion. I am funny. I get myself in all kinds of positions. I show off and I pose for the camera. I make all kinds of noises…satisfied purr snorts and grunts, light sighs, soft wimpers, and harrowing howls. Probably my most common noise is an agreeable meow…this is my way of talking back when my parents are conversing or hanging out with me.

Enjoying Victories

My parents and I have been hanging out so much in the evenings lately, watching the Royals play in the playoffs and now the World Series. So far my mom’s hometown team has won two games World Series Games! Only two more wins and they will be champions!

I get to stay up really late and sit on the couch with them all night because they are glued to the TV. We never watch TV, so my eyes are fixated on the TV too…I chase that fast ball with my eyes and watch those little guys move. Every so often, my parents even jump up and down. It’s fun to see them so excited at the time of day when they have already normally put me to bed.

Not only do I love the Royals because they do, but I have another reason too!  I doubly love them because of my “Royal” heritage. I am named after a British theologian (Clive Staples or C.S. Lewis), and his queen, the Queen of England, is a Royal. Therefore, according to various online sources, the Queen of England also loves the Royals.

Of course she does! She is one classy lady. Her pictures in blue Royals garb are all over the Internet.

I don’t have the Queen’s wardrobe budget, but I am going to get some kind of Royals gear this year. Maybe I’ll get a Royals shirt instead of a Halloween costume. I don’t want to be scary, I want to be supportive and keep enjoying the victories!

Applications for Life

What special moments and pastimes are you celebrating today? Why celebrate your furry friends or cheer on your favorite team? You just may find joy appreciating God’s creation or  commemorating victorious moments.

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Loral, Clive’s mom, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

After I have sufficiently loved on my mom until about mid-morning, I start to seek a new adventure. I go exploring in all the nooks and crannies in the apartment. I start with under the table. I love scratching my paws against the blue carpet to try to show my manliness. Even though I no longer have my claws, I still strengthen my bulging biceps.

I also love going under the couch bed. I get under the covers but I still peek out…at least with a claw or something.

What’s so attractive about seeking out a nook or getting into a cranny? 

• I like to squeeze my body into spaces that are just my size, just to challenge myself to see if I can do it. After all, a dog couldn’t do that.
• I like to peek out without anybody knowing where I am.
• I like a change of scenery.
• I like to pretend that I can go to another world.
• I like a cozy place to take a snooze.
• I like how it makes me feel safe and protected.

I know that my parents are the same way. Sometimes, when they go on their own adventures, they check out the nooks and crannies too. You can read about those adventures in my daddy’s blog, Hiking With Your Honey.

No matter how much I like being in nooks and crannies, I long to return to my wherever my parents are. I may be unlike other cats because I feel that way. But to me, their love and affection is better than hanging out by myself any day.

Applications for Life and Business

Have you explored a nook or cranny lately? Perhaps a change of scenery could be just what you need to get a different perspective to help you overcome a challenging obstacle. Or, perhaps you just need a brain break and a little snooze.

Spiritual Insight

When we intentionally get away from our everyday to seek God, He meets us there. In fact, he encourages us to dwell with him in the ultimate secret place—hidden in His love. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, NKJV).

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Loral, Clive’s mom, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

Yesterday I mentioned that my parents finally got the hint and moved my litter box to where I like it. They put it in the hallway. I also like my litter box without a lid so that I can maneuver easily to cover my tracks. (Like I said, I can’t cover it well with the lid on because there isn’t enough room for my burly body).

Taking Out The Trash. But, I don’t let my trash pile up. If my parents don’t get rid of my waste in a timely manner, I take my business elsewhere. We have a deal—I go in my box, and they clean it. It’s simple. If they don’t keep their end of the bargain, they get to pick up my trash from someplace they don’t think is a trash repository—like the carpet.

Keeping Groomed. I am very clean. That’s why my mom let’s me get my gunk out of my eyes, because that’s they only place I can’t clean on my own. Every morning, I take a bath, starting with my paws, face, and then proceed to my entire body. It just makes me feel better and ready for my day.

Staying Fueled. I never have a problem with this one. I love to eat, and I do it each day to get me going. I then have plenty of energy for loving my parents as they get ready, for inspiring my mom to write during the day, and greeting my daddy after he comes home from the office.

Applications for Life and Business

Just like taking care of Clive, I’ve learned that it’s best to address the sticky issues before they get worse. I wish that I could ignore these difficulties, but that only makes the problem worse. I’ve also learned that I perform better in a tidy environment, even though I am not as much of a neat freak as Clive is. And finally, after many years of working through lunch, I have learned to not let myself get hungry, and to stay hydrated. Taking care of myself is a best strategy I have for the highest productivity.

Life can be difficult enough as it throws us unexpected curve balls. Are you doing your best with what you can by taking care of the basics to make you the most effective? It may be the simple things that can help keep you grounded.

Loral, Clive’s mom, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you

Conventional Placement Doesn’t Always Work

My parents finally gave in and moved my litter box (at least during the daytime) to the hallway. I like it there. I don’t like it being back in a corner behind the laundry room door, because I have to go too far away from them to get in there. I like to be able to see and hear everything that is going on. The laundry is also sometimes running during the day, and the noise scares me while I am doing my business.

I expressed my need for my box to be moved in the clearest way I know how: by leaving my poop in the hallway on the carpet.

Once they gave in and moved my box each morning, we were both happy. I could go where we both wanted: in the hallway in my box!

One Size Does Not Fit All

Another breakthrough with my box happened after I had a neighbor come in and check on me when mom and dad were out of town. She noticed something that my parents hadn’t noticed, just because they see me everyday and everything about me is familiar to them

Our neighbor saw that I was struggling inside my box to cover my tracks. You see, I am about twice as large as most cats. The litter boxes with lids are made for average-sized cats, generally under 15 pounds. But I am a special more-than-20-pound hunk of feline love! I am a bigger—but I also believe that I have an extra special loving heart.

When the neighbor shared my struggle with my parents, they took the lid of my box off. It was so liberating! Now I can cover up my droppings like a cat is wired to do! My job is easier because I can move my body around as I need to—even with my unique differences.

Applications for Life and Business

Have you ever felt the need to change things up to get a fresh perspective? Have you ever thought your were trapped or caged by boxes that aren’t your shape? Maybe it is time to step out and try a different sized box. And, although it isn’t wise to turn your life upside down in a day, it may be time to try baby steps in a new direction to help you plan out a new course.

After years of prayer and struggle in a traditional career path, I moved out of state for a different life and I launched into a new direction of freelance writing and editing, both of which better suit me.

Within a year of making these changes, I met my husband, who I had always prayed for. He has enabled my new direction to be sustained. I, in turn, have the time and energy to meet his needs in a way that is most meaningful to him—with the gift of flexibility. A small business is not for everyone—and it doesn’t always pay well—but it is working now, in this season, for us.

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Loral, in addition to being Clive’s mom, helps authors and businesses get whatever messages are in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com.