Cat Proofing

 

“Sorry negative energy... You are NOT welcome here.” ~ Karen A. Baquiran

Recently, I came across an article about childproofing your home. It was talking about common hazards around the home that especially parents with toddlers ought to protect their children from. Sharp objects, electrical outlets, etc.

I have a much harder task cat proofing my home for my fur babies Bailey and Bernie. Dr. Claire Walther advises that “To ensure your cat’s safety and health, you’ll want to learn how to recognize your cat’s normal behavior, and cat-proof every room.” It is a continuous process as your cats grow or their behavior changes with time.

Today I’m musing about a different kind of proofing – one that entails keeping negative energy out of your life. I define it as sealing all loopholes that could allow toxicity into your life, especially from the people around you.

For cat-proofing, I need to “learn how to recognize my cat’s normal behavior” before I can successfully protect both my home and my cat. My cats usually have an attack of ‘zoomies’ shortly after meal times. They will chase each other around the house until their energy is spent. My wool stash is the first thing I protect and keep out of their way. Computer cables and chargers are also tucked away from their path. But I had to first recognize what was normal for them to do – observation is key. And it is a continuous process because every day is not the same as the last.

It is not any different with the people in our lives. They are not good or bad – they just are who they are. They behave as they do, no matter what we think of those behaviors. Remember you can only change yourself and your perception of a person or a situation – others will only change when they choose to change, and most times, they see no reason to rock the boats of their lives.

So, in any given toxic situation, the onus is on you to first determine your values. What do you stand for and where do you draw your lines? Second, know what you can and cannot tolerate. What are your absolute deal breakers, lines that cannot be crossed without a fight? Third, communicate your boundaries clearly and let the other person know the consequences of crossing them. Forth, observe and follow through – if fences are breached, then let consequences be reaped, otherwise, you will not be taken seriously. It is a fight or flight situation, there is no room for freeze.

Entertaining negative energy can result in stress and illness, resulting in an unhappy and disturbed life. it is an especially nasty situation if it is being caused by people close and dear to us. And that is where the power of choice comes in – to protect yourself, you have to choose yourself. Your happiness, your peace of mind, your values, and your mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Protecting yourself means not giving away your power to the toxic person, not allowing them to destabilize your life and happiness. Find a way to exist without them in your life or to have the most minimal of interactions with them if it is not possible to completely cut them off. Ensure that you script those interactions and keep them short and precisely to the point. Life is short, do not live another person’s movie when it is in your power to direct and star in your own.

Observe those around you today and decide whether you like how they roll or not. Then make a plan to keep yourself safe from the hazards they present – because you are responsible for you. I call it people-proofing your life.

"Maybe I'm being philosophical and spiritual, but I believe that if you put negative energy out there that that is what will come back." ~ Persis Khambatta

"Don’t waste another minute dealing with a toxic, negative, energy-draining person. Some people are wired for negativity. They love being argumentative, combative, and abusive. Run for your life as quickly as possible." ~ Les Brown