Recently i did a “cat-sit” for a family for whom i had “cat-sat” last year and the 2 experiences helped me realize a big “aha” last year the cat was “newly acquired” and was being groomed to be an “indoor cat”. I found it quite discomforting to observe the cat sitting on the window-sill pining to be outside. and regardless of how much i attempted to entertain her she spent a lot of time wandering around bored to be with just me as opposed to the school-aged children and their friends.

This year i was delighted to find that the cat is now an “outdoor cat” who came and went freely which meant i could do the same and without experiencing any of the discomforts of last time. Plus there was no litter box to clean

My “aha” came when the cat-sit was over and it came time for me to be paid for my services. Last year after experiencing some discomfort during my stay i gratefully accepted the $s offered. This year having had a wonderful time which in many ways felt like a mini-holiday i found myself professing that the $s offered were too much.

And then i realized that i had a belief …. that experiencing discomfort justifies receiving $s and having a free & joyful experience does not justify such receiving. Which distilled down means i did not belief that i could justify receiving $s for doing something i enjoyed doing. I am sooooo happy to have unearthed that one.