That Cat “WILL NOT” Come In This House!

There is an old saying, “What we resist, persists.” Science of Mind teaches that our thoughts and beliefs have creative power. And sometimes the Universe has a rather hilarious way of showing us how much attention we’re giving to the very thing we’re determined NOT to experience!

Many of you know that Dan’s and my home has been ruled for decades by Cat Overlords. And after years of faithful service to our feline royalty, we had developed a rather magnificent vision of our future. A future with fewer litter boxes, fewer cat hairs decorating every item of clothing we own, and perhaps, just perhaps, the opportunity to sit in our own chairs without first obtaining permission from a cat.

At one time, we had FOUR Feline Overlords, each requiring their own particular form of worship, attention, and unquestioned obedience. As they grew older, Dan and I agreed that we would not replace them as they transitioned. We were looking forward to gradually retiring from the demanding responsibilities of feline servitude.

Apparently, nobody informed the cats.

Over the last few years, three of our original four Kitty Rulers have transitioned. However, there appears to have been a succession plan established by the Cat Overlords that Dan and I were never made aware of. And I am beginning to suspect that this plan was drafted, approved, and placed into operation without the slightest consideration for the humans who pay the mortgage!

After the first of our original four transitioned, a stray cat gave birth to kittens on our back deck. She abandoned one of them when the kitten was only three weeks old, leaving us to take her in and bottle-feed her until she was old enough to be adopted.

Unfortunately, that adorable little kitten, whom most of you know as Sophie, became so attached to us, particularly Dan, that finding her another home was simply out of the question. When I say attached to Dan, I’m talking GLUED TO THE HIP attached!

And just like that, we were back to FOUR Overlords.

The unknown succession plan was working.

About a year later, another of our original Kitty Rulers transitioned. This left Sophie without a feline companion, since the two remaining senior Overlords could not be bothered with the trivialities of entertaining a kitten. So, enter Mae, an age-appropriate companion for Sophie to bond with and play.

Once again, FOUR Overlords.

The unknown succession plan was ACTIVELY working.

Then our third original Feline Overlord transitioned, leaving us with three cats. One of our original rulers, Melanie, who is now fifteen years old, and Sophie and Mae, both a little over three.

Now, throughout this entire process of subtraction and addition, Sophie’s mother had TWO MORE litters of kittens on our back deck! With the assistance of a wonderfully connected TCSL member and another well-connected Minister friend, we successfully found loving homes for all ten kittens born over those two years. About two months ago, we were also able to trap Sophie’s mother, have her spayed and vaccinated, and return her to the familiar surroundings of our deck.

For some mysterious reason, she kept coming back. I cannot imagine why. After all, we were only feeding her THREE TIMES A DAY! And let’s be clear, this was store-brand cat food served on PLASTIC plates. Hardly the accommodations one would expect at a luxury feline resort!

She spent her days lounging on our back deck and sought shelter beneath the gazebo whenever it rained. Eventually, we decided that since she had been spayed, we would work on domesticating her and finding her a wonderful NEW home.

And Dan and I were absolutely united in our affirmation:

“THAT CAT WILL NOT COME IN THIS HOUSE!”

Now, those of us familiar with Science of Mind understand the creative significance of our thoughts, beliefs, and declarations. Dr. Ernest Holmes taught, “It is done to you as you believe.”

And here we were, two longtime students of this teaching, enthusiastically declaring what we DID NOT want while giving this particular cat three meals a day, a sheltered residence, personalized attention, and an increasingly generous supply of treats!

Jen Sincero writes, “What you focus on, you create more of.” Apparently, our attention had become considerably more focused on this cat than either of us cared to admit!

Over the following months, the process of domesticating Sophie’s mother involved long hisses, almost daily scratches, and enough cat treats to support a small manufacturing facility. Eventually, she began allowing us to pet her. Every morning, afternoon, and evening, she would appear at the sliding glass door, patiently awaiting her next meal.

And with each passing day, as she became increasingly friendly, Dan and I would repeat our affirmation:

“THAT CAT WILL NOT COME IN THIS HOUSE!”

Little did we know that the Feline Overlord succession plan apparently did not allow for human input, objections, or declarations!

During this time, our security cameras documented a fox, a coyote, and TWO possums hanging around the house. Naturally, this concerned us, although Sophie’s mother had demonstrated that she was quite capable of taking care of herself. One of those possums, incidentally, is approximately twice her size. I have named him Ned. I have no idea what his intentions are, but he looks suspiciously well-fed.

Then our security cameras revealed something entirely unexpected.

While Sophie’s mother waited outside the sliding glass door, Sophie would often appear on the other side. And the two of them would simply sit there, looking at each other through the glass.

No hissing. No territorial displays. No dramatic feline confrontations.

Just a mother and her daughter, quietly looking into each other’s eyes.

And something began to change.

Esther Hicks wrote, “Your emotions are indicators of your vibrational frequency.” That is a wonderful reminder that our feelings can help us recognize where our consciousness is aligned.

We had spent months concentrating on keeping this cat OUT of our house. Yet every time we saw Sophie’s mother and Sophie looking at one another through that glass door, our attention shifted toward something entirely different. Compassion. Connection. Love. And the growing awareness that perhaps the good unfolding before us was larger than the particular outcome we had originally envisioned.

This is one of the beautiful principles within Science of Mind. Conscious creation involves more than repeating words. It involves becoming aware of the deeper beliefs, feelings, and intentions that accompany those words. And sometimes, as consciousness expands, so does our understanding of what we genuinely desire.

Our original intention had been to give this cat a safe and loving future. That intention had never changed. What was changing was our willingness to consider how that future might unfold.

And so, the Feline Overlord succession plan has officially entered its next phase.

THAT CAT IS IN THE HOUSE!

Yesterday, we picked up Sophie’s mother, whom we have now named Raven, loved on her, placed her in a borrowed sturdy cat carrier, and took her to the veterinarian. We had the necessary testing performed to ensure she wasn’t carrying any contagious diseases, and the preliminary results gave Raven the all-clear! She is now comfortably settled in her own private room while we await the final results.

Did we bring Raven inside because of the fox? NOPE!

Did we bring her inside because of the coyote? NOPE!

Did we bring her inside because of the two possums, including the suspiciously oversized Ned? NOPE!

We brought her inside because Dan and I could no longer bear watching a mother and daughter quietly looking into each other’s eyes through a glass door.

And there, my friends, is the spiritual insight that this entire feline adventure has brought into focus for me.

Love has a remarkable way of expanding the possibilities we are willing to entertain. The very experience we had spent months declaring would NEVER happen became an opportunity to express the compassion, kindness, and generosity that we recognize as qualities of the Divine.

The Science of Mind teaches that the Infinite expresses Itself in, as and through us. And sometimes that expression takes the form of a magnificent new opportunity, an unexpected relationship, or a generous act of kindness. And apparently, sometimes it takes the form of a stray cat who has spent months negotiating her way into your home without ever hiring an attorney!

There is also a wonderful distinction between attempting to control every detail of an outcome and consciously aligning ourselves with the good we desire to experience. Our spiritual authority includes the ability to recognize new possibilities, reconsider our assumptions, and act from the highest understanding of Love available to us.

And perhaps that is the greater lesson Raven has brought into our lives. The Divine Good we seek to express may arrive in a form that surprises us. Our willingness to remain receptive allows us to recognize opportunities that our original plans may never have included.

For now, Raven will spend approximately two weeks separated from the other Feline Overlords while they gradually become accustomed to one another’s scents. Dan and I have also adopted a brand-new mantra:

“WE WILL FIND THIS CAT A NEW AND LOVING HOME!”

And I assure you, we are affirming that with tremendous conviction!

Until then, we have returned to a FOUR Feline Overlord household. We continue to hold the highest vision of a wonderful future for Raven, whether that means finding her a loving home elsewhere or discovering that the Universe has something else in mind.

As for the succession plan, I am holding the affirmative knowing that somewhere, buried deep within its mysterious provisions, there MUST be a loophole.

Although, judging from the events of the last several years, I suspect the cats have already retained legal counsel.

And so, I leave you with this thought: Stay open to the magnificent ways Good can unfold in your life. Allow Love to expand your vision, let compassion inspire your actions, and recognize that sometimes the most wonderful possibilities arrive wearing a disguise you never expected.

Even if that disguise has four paws, a tail, and an apparently ironclad claim to your guest bedroom!

AND SO IT IS!

Rev. Tony Crapolicchio
Trinity Center for Spiritual Living
Atlanta, GA