Learning to relax is a gift. Maybe a gift we can learn from our cats.
Stress, which is naturally part of our everyday lives, can hamper our ability to enjoy whatever is on our list for the day. We become so absorbed in work, in schedules, in daily frustrations, that we don't take time to "smell the roses" and enjoy the beauty of the little things that surround us. This week because the cats were fascinated with our bird feeder on our deck, I noticed the beauty of the chirping birds at the bird feeder. I forgot about the clean-up necessary come spring. Because of the cats chasing rainbows from the suncatchers, I noticed how bright the sun was shining for a change. Because of Zoie Joy meowing at me on the kitchen table late at night when I decided I needed a cup of tea before bed, I saw the gorgeous silver moonlight glowing over the backyard. She's noticed it before me and was looking out the window.
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| Paddy at her most relaxed! |
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| Zoie retreats from her usual curled sleeping position to a more relaxed pose that invites a tummy rub. |
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| Halo and Zoie are still developing their relationship but their relaxed body language signals that they are more trusting of each other. |
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| London's position with her legs intertwined shows how relaxed she is knowing that she is safe on her window shelf. |
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| Halo rests comfortably on the top shelf of the floor-to-ceiling condo while she surveys the feline and human activities below her. She is truly appreciative of the peace she has found in her furever home. |
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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Thanks, Karen. Lovely post, with good advice I need to follow, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on that relaxation thing this weekend too. (With mixed results, but still.) I'm playing around a bit with an adult coloring book, and hoping for a game of Scrabble this afternoon with a friend.
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