Hanging Mobiles, A Cat, and The Art of Getting Out of Your Own Way | Mark Leary Designs

Artwork: The brilliant @woman.in.the.fog with my Black Stack mobile

 On magic

“But why do I have to break it?” asked bird.

“Because,” replied fox, “the cracks let the light in.”

Thoughts
thump!

“Did you just head butt me?” No response.

THUMP!

“Did you seriously just do it again?” No response.

It was 2008. The room was dimly lit and smelled of urine. This is not what I expected.

I’d always pictured adopting a dog. But after a trip to the humane society, it was clear I needed a cat.

My research told me a short-haired, tabby, adult female was going to be the way to go.

So here I was in a room surrounded by cats that fit the description and not a single one paying attention to me. All this activity, but no connectivity.

Just as I was thinking “Maybe I was wrong,” it happened.

This little-bitty black furball emerged, walked directly to where I was sitting, and head butted me. Twice.

Then, he just stood there; looking at me with these big, bright eyes. A fluffy tail twice as long as he was. And in the tiniest whisper, he said meep.

Buddy will turn 12 on Saturday. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but what I needed was a companion, someone to choose me, someone to show me what it meant to love without hesitation, without reservation.

I thought I wanted a cat that fit my list, but Buddy - a black, long-haired, male, who was just a baby when we found each other - showed me how important it is to get out of your own way and let life head butt when and where you need it most.

Buddy teaches me new things every day about what it means to be really present and endlessly curious, to ask for what you want, to return again and again. And I love him.

Where in your life could you use a little THUMP to let the magic in?