Tag: Behavior

Your Ancient Symbol Card for February 21 is The Cat

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Cat

The Cat represents the need for stealth and the freedom to act without restrictions. Acting stealthily in no way implies the need for underhanded behavior. Instead the suggestion here is to move quietly towards your goals and reach out for them when they are within range. It also denotes a need to free yourself from restrictions imposed by others.

As a daily card, The Cat suggests that the opportunity to attain your goals is very strong at the moment. However, you need to keep your intentions to yourself and shed whatever limitations have been put on you by others.

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Daily Feng Shui News for Jan. 22 – ‘Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day’

It’s ‘Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day’ and if one of those kitty questions asks why their ears itch so much, then your pet might have ear mites. Take a flashlight and look inside the cat’s ears. If you see something that resembles coffee grounds, then your pet has ear mites. Puncture two vitamin E capsules and squeeze out the oil from one each into the cat’s ears. Gently rub the oil in and carefully clean out both the oil and the mites with a cotton swab. Repeat this process for three days in a row and the mites should disappear. The oil not only suffocates the mites, but will help Kitty heal from all that itching. Next question.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

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‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for November 20th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

How much voice do we really have in our own affairs? How free are we to speak out on the things we know and believe and want to say? How much voice do we have in public affairs?

How much goes unsaid because it may be bad for business, or it might make us look foolish? How often we should speak up but think it is none of our business? How quiet we are when someone’s unethical hand does wrong.

What is it that inhibits us? Our own fears. Fear of our own ignorance, fear of losing, fear of the bugaboos we know lurk somewhere, but just aren’t sure where.

Who are the people who are free of fears? They are the individuals who govern themselves in such a manner as to have thought out their own ideas enough to be able to speak freely for themselves.

Ethics would seem to be something to ignore if you wish to be successful in business. Many people strive harder today than at any other time to divide their lives so that being seen in church is good taste, and being unethical in business proves they are shrewd. Being successful isn’t nearly as important as proving that they’ve gotten that way by the clever undoing of their opposition.

There was a time when building a better mouse trap by the most efficient methods gave us satisfaction, but too often these days we are impressed because someone is smart. Not smart with intelligence, but smart with the cunning that goes along with the jungle code of getting before someone gets you.

The person who tries to get ahead by ethical methods, and by wanting only to provide something better than is already in existence, must also be equipped to withstand ridicule.

Frankly, the race of the tortoise and the hare is still on, and while the hare is tearing around showing off its ability to be a fast runner, the tortoise is making progress, and never losing its way.

Socrates, being asked the way to honest fame, said, “Study to be what you wish to seem.” Success takes time and moral discipline, but our successes will be as human beings first, and then the crown of success in business will sit easily and firmly.

____________________________

Available online! ‘Cherokee Feast of Days’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler.

Visit her web site to purchase the wonderful books by Joyce as gifts for yourself or for loved ones……and also for those who don’t have access to the Internet: http://www.hifler.com
Click Here to Buy her books at Amazon.com

Elder’s Meditation of the Day
By White Bison, Inc., an American Indian-owned nonprofit organization. Order their many products from their web site: http://www.whitebison.org

Daily OM for Oct. 29th – Passive Aggressive Behavior

Passive Aggressive Behavior

Claiming our Feelings

by Madisyn Taylor

The way to end passive aggressive behavior on your part or others’ is with complete honesty and truth in any situation.

If you’ve ever found yourself repressing your anger and behaving in other ways to get your point across, you may be someone who is adept at engaging in passive-aggressive behavior. Although passive-aggressive behavior is recognized as a psychological disorder, it also describes the behavior that many people use to cope with confrontational situations. Such behavior has the outward appearance of being peaceful, yet it is really an attempt to express oneself in seemingly passive ways—usually without accepting responsibility for doing so. For example, someone who doesn’t want to attend an event with a partner might engage in behavior that causes them to be late or miss the event without ever admitting to their partner that they never wanted to go to the function at all. Procrastination, inefficiency, stubbornness, and sullenness are some of the many ways that anger can be expressed indirectly.

It is important not to judge ourselves when we engage in passive-aggressive behavior. You may want to consider that you are not owning your feelings or your expression by indirectly expressing yourself. Perhaps you are judging your feelings and needs as wrong—which is why you are expressing yourself indirectly. You also may be worried that others will judge you for feeling the way that you do. Remember that anger and every other emotion are never good or bad. They can, however, become toxic of you don’t express them in healthy and proactive ways. When we express ourselves directly, we are more likely to be heard by the other person. It also becomes easier for us to ask for and get what we want.

Once we learn to be honest with ourselves about our feelings, we can begin to directly express ourselves to others. By learning to express ourselves directly, we prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and resentment from cropping up in our relationships. We also learn to communicate with others in healthy and productive ways. It is never too late to start working on ourselves and our behaviors, just take it one day at a time.

The Daily OM

Daily Motivator for Sept. 11 – Habit of achievement

Habit of achievement

Old, destructive habits can feel very comfortable, at least for the moment.  Over time, however, those negative habits can waste an enormous part of your  life, or worse.

 

The good news is that you can build positive, empowering habits that will  soon feel just as comfortable and familiar as the old negative ones. It takes  effort and commitment, and a little discomfort, yet it is well worth all  that.

 

Instead of habits that waste your time and burden your life, you can choose  habits that push you steadily forward. Instead of slowly creating heartache and  disappointment, you can be steadfastly creating success and achievement.

 

Time can be your enemy or your friend, depending on what you do with each  little moment. Make the choice, and put forth the effort, to make each moment  count for something positive and meaningful.

Choose a habit that brings you down and replace it with one that lifts you  up. Make it your goal to make achievement your default mode.

Some of the most powerful things you do are the things you do by habit. So  choose to direct all that power in a positive, life-enriching direction.

— Ralph Marston

Read more at http://www.greatday.com/#lXd5Ck7FK65ZouJ4.99

Old, destructive habits can feel very comfortable, at least for the moment.  Over time, however, those negative habits can waste an enormous part of your  life, or worse.

The good news is that you can build positive, empowering habits that will  soon feel just as comfortable and familiar as the old negative ones. It takes  effort and commitment, and a little discomfort, yet it is well worth all  that.

Instead of habits that waste your time and burden your life, you can choose  habits that push you steadily forward. Instead of slowly creating heartache and  disappointment, you can be steadfastly creating success and achievement.

Time can be your enemy or your friend, depending on what you do with each  little moment. Make the choice, and put forth the effort, to make each moment  count for something positive and meaningful.

Choose a habit that brings you down and replace it with one that lifts you  up. Make it your goal to make achievement your default mode.

Some of the most powerful things you do are the things you do by habit. So  choose to direct all that power in a positive, life-enriching direction.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Is Your Cat a Bully?

Is Your Cat a Bully?

 

America’s schools are all abuzz with bully abatement, but did you know  that cats can be bullies too?  Here are the red flag warnings that your  sweet little kitty is really a big bully to the other cats in your household or  neighborhood.

1. Staring

2. Pouncing on another cat while that cat is sleeping or resting

3. Blocking thoroughfares such as in the middle of a hallway or in front of  the cat flap to deny exit or entry

4. Attacking, growling and hissing at another cat without apparent  provocation

5. Blocking access to indoor litter  box

6. Forcing another cat away from food bowl

7. Claiming resting areas and/or access to human by physically pushing other  cat away

Cats are territorial by nature and in territories where there is more than  one cat (indoors and out) a hierarchy is likely to develop. The biggest cat  often, but not always, will dominate the top rung of the ladder. If you do  observe the above listed behaviors in one or more of your cats, and it lasts for  more than a couple of weeks, then you likely need to intervene.

The first step is to assess whether your dominate cat (the one being the  bully) is getting the respect he/she deserves.  This situation happened in  our household. Sushi, our Maine Coon, who weighs about 24 pounds is the  undisputed top cat in the household. However, he is not the family favorite as  he doesn’t like to cuddle and he is quick to use his claws. The family favorite  is Mittens, our skinny little polydactyl cat that has an amazing personality,  loves to cuddle, and is light enough for the children to pick-up (which he  completely tolerates). Riki Tiki Tabby is also well-loved, but since he doesn’t  like to sit on laps or be held, he takes second place to Mittens. The result is  everyone in our household greets Mittens first, plays with him first, rubs his  belly first and gives him lots of treats. It got to the point where Sushi was  almost being ignored.  I guess Sushi said to himself, enough is enough,  because suddenly one day, he started  attacking Mittens quite aggressively.  I was actually shocked as it seemed to come out of nowhere.

This went on for a few weeks and it was causing our household significant  strife. Mittens was a nervous wreck and developed chin acne ( a sure sign of  stress). My husband was finally astute enough to suggest  that maybe Sushi  was jealous and that he (Sushi) felt he was not getting the respect he deserved  as top cat. So, we started greeting Sushi first when we came home, giving him  lots of chin rubs, and making sure he was the first to get a treat, the first to  get brushed and the first to be fed. Like magic, Sushi suddenly stopped  bothering Mittens!

Other issues that can stimulate bullying behavior in cats include having too  many cats in too small of a territory and/or having too few resources. Most cat  experts will say that you should have at least one bowl of food, one bowl of  water and one litter box for each cat. Some vets suggest even having one extra,  especially in the case of litter boxes. Cats that have not been spayed/neutered or  were fixed later in life, tend to be more naturally aggressive and  territorial.

 

 

5 Crazy Cat Anatomy Facts

5 Crazy Cat Anatomy Facts

  • a Care2 favorite by Samantha, selected from  Animal Planet

 

Curiosity about cats has followed humankind since the days before  Egyptian pharaohs treasured them  as signs of good fortune. Much more is  known today about what makes these  graceful critters tick, yet we’re  still mesmerized by a cat’s nighttime eyes  and find comfort in the  mysterious vibration of a gentle purr. Taken  individually, the bits and  pieces of cat anatomy and behavior are a crazy quilt  of Morse code, text  messaging and DIY survival tips. Together, they’re a medley  of fun  facts that add up to a fur-covered package of intrigue. Let’s look at   five unusual cat anatomy facts.

5. Eyes That Glow in the Dark

Green, gold, blue or yellow, cats’ eyes are  fascinating orbs that gleam in  darkness. Think of the famous Cheshire  cat, whose eyes and grin taunted  Alice in  Wonderland. Use a flashlight  beam to observe your cat in a darkened  room. That spooky shine is  visible even in dim light.

Cats’ eyes have pupils that are larger than humans’, and are  controlled by a  pair of shutter-like ciliary muscles, creating the cat’s  distinctive slit-like  pupil in bright light. In darkness, light hitting  feline eyes is reflected from  a mirror-like membrane behind the retina.  This structure is called the tapetum  lucidum, and is present in the  eyes of cats, dogs, some fish and birds, and  other nocturnal hunting  animals.

When light enters a cat’s eyes, it goes through the retina, where   light-sensor cells, called rods and cones, absorb it. Any unabsorbed  light  reaches the tapetum lucidum and bounces back to the retina,  enabling it to take  in more light.  Animals with the tapetum lucidum have greater night vision  because it  lets them absorb more light. This is a great help when looking for  prey  at night. Cats need only about one-sixth of the light humans need to   function in the dark.

4. The Rough Side of the Tongue

If you’ve received a loving lick from your cat,  you know that sweet pink  tongue feels like rough-grade sandpaper or  Velcro caressing your skin. And a  jungle cat’s tongue is even harsher.  All feline tongues, from tabby house pets  to 600-pound (272 kilogram)  Bengal tigers, are covered with tiny barbs or  hooks, giving the tongue a  rough texture. These microscopic projections face  toward the cat’s  throat, and are the tools that help to groom his coat. The  barbs work  like a comb, catching and cleaning the cat’s fur. In the wild, these  rasps tear the flesh off the bones of the big cat’s prey.

Cats’ tongues may be the busiest part of their anatomy. They lick  their  coats not only to  keep clean, but to regulate their body  temperatures, fluffing up the fur in  winter and wetting it down with  saliva to stay cool in summer.

As cats’ tongues work, they collect flakes of skin, loose fur, fleas  and  dirt. Cats swallow this debris — which is usually dissolved by  stomach acid. Some cats, especially  long-haired or older ones, may  ingest too much hair to dissolve, and upchuck  hairballs. Giving your cat  hairball ointment will help him digest the hair he or she  swallows.

3. Tale of the Tail

A cat’s tail, which contains almost 10 percent  of his bones, acts as a  counterweight in helping him keep his balance  while walking along a narrow  space or making sudden turns. But besides  working as a rudder, a cat’s tail  communicates his mood and messages.  Decoding tail talk is one of the easiest  ways to read feline body  language.

A relaxed cat’s tail moves gently, occasionally, side to side,  signaling  that he’s up for a little attention. With his tail held high  and straight, a  cat says he’s in charge and happy. If the tip quivers  slightly, the cat is  irritated.  A quick lashing motion, sometimes  accompanied by flattened ears, is  a sign that your cat wants to be left  alone, and may attack if you continue petting him. When  a cat is at play  or watching birds out a window, his crouched posture, with the  tail  flicking back and forth, mimics the behavior of a big cat stalking its   prey.  If a cat’s tail is straight up and bristled, he’s alert and ready  to  attack. A fluffed out, lowered tail signals fear. And a tail lightly  brushing  or wrapping around your legs spells affection and approval.

2. Purr-fection

The thrumming, rumbling sound coming from a cat  as she inhales and exhales  is one of life’s great delights — and  mysteries. Theories about purring are as  varied as the markings on a  calico. Domestic cats purr when they’re content,  often when we’re  stroking their chins or heads, or opening a can of food.  Mother cats  purr so their helpless newborn kittens can find them (and the  source of  dinner), and often purr while nursing. But cats also purr in times of  stress — when  they’re recovering from an injury, or at the vet’s  office. Some cats purr so loudly during a checkup, the vet can’t clearly  hear  the cat’s heartbeat through his stethoscope.

Scientists say that a cat’s purr results from intermittent signaling  by the  diaphragmatic (diaphragm) and laryngeal (larynx or voice box)  muscles, at a  frequency of 25 to 150 Hertz (a Hertz being one cycle per  second).  Research  suggests that sound frequency of this range can promote healing and bone growth. There’s no definitive  answer yet, and the power of the  purr is still a puzzle. Clinically, we may  know how cats purr, but why?  They may purr simply because…they can.

1. Whisker Communication

A cat’s whiskers are like a radar guidance  system, with a bundle of nerve  endings telegraphing details about  everything the cat touches, as well as  shifts in air pressure. His  whiskers are the same width as his body, letting  him know whether he’ll  be able to get through a narrow opening or fit behind  the TV set.

But whiskers are also navigators. These bristly hairs, found above  his  eyelids, around his muzzle and on the lower, inside part of his  forelegs, help  cats move smoothly in darkness. Sensitive to changes in  the air current around an unknown object,  whiskers enable the cat to  avoid the obstacle.

A hunting cat uses its whiskers to zero in on the outline of its  prey,  letting it know where to strike.  Damaged whiskers hamper its aim.  A cat’s  facial whiskers are also mood indicators. Stiff,  forward-pointing whiskers mean  the cat is aggressive.  An angry cat’s  whiskers are tightly pulled back against  its face. And a contented cat’s  whiskers are picture-perfect, forward, with a  slightly downward angle.

A Giggle for Your Day – How To Give Your Cat A Pill

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL

* Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook  of your left arm as if holding a baby.  Position right forefinger and thumb on  either side of cat’s mouth and gently  apply pressure to cheeks while holding  pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth,  pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close  mouth and swallow.
* Retrieve pill from floor and cat from  behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and  repeat process.
* Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw  soggy pill away.
* Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle  cat in left arm holding rear paws  tightly with left hand. Force jaws open  and push pill to back of mouth with  right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a  count of 10.
* Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and  cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse  from garden.
* Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly  between knees, holding front and rear  paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat.  Get spouse to hold cat’s head firmly  with one hand while forcing wooden ruler  into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub  cat’s throat vigorously.
* Retrieve cat from curtain rail. Get  another pill from foil wrap. Make note  to buy new ruler and repair curtains.  Carefully sweep shattered figurines from  hearth and set to one side for gluing  later.
* Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse  to lie on cat with its head just visible  from below spouse’s armpit. Put pill in  drinking straw, force cat’s mouth open  with pencil and blow down drinking  straw.
* Check label to make sure pill not  harmful to humans, drink glass of water  to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to  spouse’s forearm and remove blood from  carpet with cold water and soap.
* Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get  another pill. Place cat in cupboard and  close door onto neck to leave head  showing.  Force mouth open with dessert spoon.  Flick pill down throat with elastic  band.
* Fetch screwdriver from garage and put  door back on hinges. Apply cold compress  to cheek and check records for date of  last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away  and fetch new one from bedroom.
* Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from  tree across the road. Apologize to  neighbor who crashed into fence while  swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill  from foil wrap.
* Tie cat’s front paws to rear paws with  garden twine and bind tightly to leg of  dining table. Find heavy duty pruning  gloves from shed. Force cat’s mouth open  with small spanner. Push pill into mouth  followed by large piece of fillet steak.  Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint  of water down throat to wash pill  down.
* Get spouse to drive you to emergency  room; sit quietly while doctor stitches  fingers and forearm and removes pill  remnants from right eye. Stop by  furniture shop on way home to order new  table.
* Arrange for vet to make a house call 

A Little Humor for Your Day – Cat To English Dictionary

Cat To English Dictionary
Cat Phrase — Meaning
** miaow — Feed me.
** meeow — Pet me.
** mrooww — I love you.
** miioo-oo-oo — I am in love and must meet my betrothed outside beneath the  hedge. Don’t wait up.
** mrow — I feel like making noise.
** rrrow-mawww — Please, the time is come to tidy the cat box.
** rrrow-miawww — I have remedied the cat box untidiness by shoveling the  contents as far out of the box as was practical.
** miaowmiaow — Play with me.
** miaowmioaw — Have you noticed the shortage of available cat toys in this  room?
** mioawmioaw — Since I can find nothing better to play with, I shall see what  happens when I sharpen my claws on this handy piece of furniture.
** raowwwww — I think I shall now spend time licking the most private parts of  my anatomy.
** mrowwwww — I am now recalling, with sorrow, that some of my private parts  did not return with me from that visit to the vet.
** roww-maww-roww — I am so glad to see that you have returned home with both  arms full of groceries. I will now rub myself against your legs and attempt to  trip you as you walk towards the kitchen.
** mmeww — I believe I have heard a burglar. If you would like to go and beat  him senseless, I shall be happy to keep your spot in the bed warm.
** gakk-ak-ak — My digestive passages seem to have formed a hairball. Wherever  could this have come from? I shall leave it here upon the carpeting.
** mow — Snuggling is a good idea.
** moww — Shedding is pretty good, too.
** mowww! — I was enjoying snuggling and shedding in the warm clean laundry  until you removed me so unkindly.
** miaow! miaow! — I have discovered that, although one may be able to wedge  his body through the gap behind the stove and into that little drawer filled  with pots and pans, the reverse path is slightly more difficult to navigate.
** mraakk! — Oh, small bird! Please come over here.
** ssssroww! — I believe that I have found a woodchuck. I shall now act  terribly brave.
** mmmmmmm — If I sit in the sunshine for another week or so, I think I shall  be satisfied.

A Little Humor – Cat to English Dictionary

Cat To English Dictionary

Cat Phrase — Meaning
** miaow — Feed me.
** meeow — Pet me.
** mrooww — I love you.
** miioo-oo-oo — I am in love and must meet my betrothed outside beneath the  hedge. Don’t wait up.
** mrow — I feel like making noise.
** rrrow-mawww — Please, the time is come to tidy the cat box.
** rrrow-miawww — I have remedied the cat box untidiness by shoveling the  contents as far out of the box as was practical.
** miaowmiaow — Play with me.
** miaowmioaw — Have you noticed the shortage of available cat toys in this  room?
** mioawmioaw — Since I can find nothing better to play with, I shall see what  happens when I sharpen my claws on this handy piece of furniture.
** raowwwww — I think I shall now spend time licking the most private parts of  my anatomy.
** mrowwwww — I am now recalling, with sorrow, that some of my private parts  did not return with me from that visit to the vet.
** roww-maww-roww — I am so glad to see that you have returned home with both  arms full of groceries. I will now rub myself against your legs and attempt to  trip you as you walk towards the kitchen.
** mmeww — I believe I have heard a burglar. If you would like to go and beat  him senseless, I shall be happy to keep your spot in the bed warm.
** gakk-ak-ak — My digestive passages seem to have formed a hairball. Wherever  could this have come from? I shall leave it here upon the carpeting.
** mow — Snuggling is a good idea.
** moww — Shedding is pretty good, too.
** mowww! — I was enjoying snuggling and shedding in the warm clean laundry  until you removed me so unkindly.
** miaow! miaow! — I have discovered that, although one may be able to wedge  his body through the gap behind the stove and into that little drawer filled  with pots and pans, the reverse path is slightly more difficult to navigate.
** mraakk! — Oh, small bird! Please come over here.
** ssssroww! — I believe that I have found a woodchuck. I shall now act  terribly brave.
** mmmmmmm — If I sit in the sunshine for another week or so, I think I shall  be satisfied.

Kitty Humor – 8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

 

As a mother, I can say with great confidence there are more than eight  reasons why cats are better than kids, but just in case my two daughters (6 and  8 years old) read this post someday, I better leave it to eight! This would also  be a good time to clarify: I love my daughters. I love their giggles. I love  their curls. I love the charming crayon drawings they proudly bring me.

Yes, I love reading them bedtime stories and I love kissing their boo-boos,  but there are admittedly moments — and sometimes even days — when I wonder if  life would have been easier if I had just been happy with my husband and three  cats and left it at that! Cats, after all, are so much easier to live with – and  you can leave them (mostly) alone when you go on vacation.

So, for those of you without kids still hankering to procreate, here is my  short list of why you should either be happy with the cat you have or, if you do  not already have a cat, why you should consider cats instead of kids!

1. Cats are quiet – really quiet, compared to kids!

2. Cats take care of their own potty needs. You never have to wipe a cat’s  bum. If they are indoor-outdoor cats, you don’t even need a litter box.

3. Cats make great company when you are sick. They just curl up next to you —  quietly (see, there is that word again) and they do not ask you to play bingo or  monster trucks when you are about to upchuck into the toilet bowl.

4. To feed cats all you have to do is leave a bowl of dried food on the  floor. It can also be the same food everyday.

5. You never have to bathe a cat — they do so all on their own and without  complaining.

6. Cats, unlike kids, love to be brushed. When you brush a cat, there is no  howling or tears — and thus no guilt.

7. They never argue or talk back to you with a voice full of sass.

8. As said above, you can leave cats mostly alone while on vacation and  if you want a date with your partner, you never need a babysitter, thus making  those dates easier and cheaper.

In spite of all the benefits of having just cats instead of kids, you must be  careful about having too many cats, especially if you are female, single, and  over age 40. Otherwise you may be known behind you back as “the crazy cat lady”  —  or worse accused of witchcraft. Having a few kids around however can  diffuse the name calling and the witchcraft suspicions! Furthermore, if you  really like to wipe bum-bums, loud noises, and cooking for picky eaters, the  good news is that cats and kids are not incompatible. In fact, you can enjoy both. I know, because I do.