Achieving Serenity

Clearing the Wall

Lessons to be learned everywhere

I was always impressed by how she fearlessly carried herself, never taking shit from anyone. If you crossed any sort of boundary with her, she would make you blatantly aware.

My parents adopted Sammy when she was two years old. She remembers her old brothers and sisters, and her mom and dad, but felt welcome in our home. I myself would've been terrified to have to leave my family, especially at such a young age like she was. Sammy wasn't ever afraid; she was confident and powerful, a continuous source of inspiration.

When she got older, most people didn't like her because of how bratty and hostile she would become at seemingly trivial things. People would say nasty things about her behind her back all the time, and sometimes even in her presence. She just didn't care; nothing was going to stop her from being herself. Sammy and I were always very close to one another. Sometimes I felt like I was the only one who truly understood her. My parents would do their best to treat her with as much love as possible, but it was becoming obvious that she was getting on their nerves.

I believe the reason that Sammy is so at peace with her life is because of uncannily precise ability to stay focused in the present. She is never regretful of any of her decisions. She never spends time anxiously fearing her future. Sammy is always grounded, appreciating the elegant and mysterious gift that is this life.

Sammy spends most of her life perusing the outdoors and showing off her athletic abilities. I often see her making her way across our side-gate, which she has to jump over in order to clear. I couldn't imagine having exerted that much physical effort in order to get past a gate, but Sammy had no problem doing this day in and day out. She needed to get past the gate and understood that the only way to do so without human-aid was to jump over it. She does not overthink and overanalyze situations, when there is somewhere to go- she goes there.

The mere act of meditation is a crucial way for me to re-establish a bit of mindfulness and serenity into my life. I remember all the beautiful times I would see Sammy roosting on one of the beds, catching some sun as she watched for birds. I often would wonder if she would get bored, but by her look and overall behavior, there was no boredom within her. There were too many cat things to do in the world than to be bored.

I learned so many great lessons from Sammy andwill always continue to be inspired by her. Today her picture is in my hallwayabove the words, "You never know how strong you are until being strong is theonly choice you have."