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

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Crying Uncontrollably. I, Clive the Cat, can be crying uncontrollably for food, and pacing the hall if my parents are moving around doing something. It’s not my meal time, but I can become obsessed thinking about food.

They go down that hallway to feed me and when they get ready to leave. I get so scared that they are leaving and will forget to feed me. I wonder if I will need to contact PETA if they don’t feed me. I wonder if mom left her laptop open and I can try to find a local hotline or something.

Intervening of Others Who See Clearly. But what I don’t know is that too much of a good thing makes me sick. My parents have to ration my food—otherwise I eat too much of it. They are just concerned about me, and they don’t want me to get heart disease and die—because that would surely break their hearts.

Replacing the Desparation. I’m always amazed that Mom and Dad know me so well, though—and I’m so glad that they know what to do. They know that if I am distressed, all they have to do is to pick me up and get me back on to their laps.

Shifting My Mindset to Gratitude Changes My Outlook. Nine out of 10 times I am not really hungry and I really don’t need food. Knowing my parents love me calms me. It doesn’t matter how upset I think I am. When they pick me up and put me back on their laps, it makes me purr snort every time. I can relax. I am no longer distressed. In fact, I even start kneeding them my paws even kneed them, and then my motor roars. I now feel like a lion.

How do I suddenly shift from the deep distress of surely coming starvation to exemplifying my majestic prowess?

Because now I sit one of my parent’s laps—the best place ever—and I am comforted from whatever is wrong by just being there, knowing I am unconditionally loved.

Spiritual Insights:

Watching this transformation ministers to my frustrated, pent-up, things aren’t happening fast enough, sometimes discouraged soul. I ask God to show me how I am like Clive begging for extra meals. God says, “Come to Me, and let me support you as you rest in my arms, laying your head on My lap. Let Me show you that I’ve got this issue and you.”

He goes on to speak to my heart: “Stay snuggled up to Me, because just like you move when it is time to feed Clive, I will move you and gently scoot you up to walk you to where your next meal is. But, meantime, enjoy your place here—in my my lap—letting you lavish me in my love.” Thank you, Lord. I’m so grateful for your words.

Applications for Life and Business:

Like Clive, do you have tendencies to obsess about how much you think you want something? Perhaps God is tempering your need or want for a greater purpose. Or, perhaps the timing isn’t right.

Ask God or others for help and perspective. Comfort yourself by going somewhere or doing something else that you know is good for you. Sometimes it can be as simple as talking a walk and noticing something beautiful in creation. I just went on one. It works wonders. Start to feel thankful for that shift that takes place, and watch your spirit soar as you enjoy where you are.

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to diverting Clive’s distress, 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.