By Jeanette M. Pintar - with inspiration from Misty

I'll never forget the first time those crystalline emerald orbs pierced my soul. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched but each time I'd turn around to see who it was observing my leaf-raking techniques on this spring day, there was no one there. Finally she allowed herself to be seen… this gray and brown cat with the most soul penetrating eyes I've ever encountered.

We were both fearful of each other for a long time. Each day we'd get a little closer in proximity until one day she got up the nerve to allow me to touch her, and I overcame my fear of "psycho cats", actually petting her soft fur. This exchange didn't last long to begin with… neither of us completely trusted the other, but over time, and relying on our courage to bring us a little further beyond our fears with each encounter, trust soon won out and love flowed between us.

What I realized from this is experience is that trusting takes courage and courage requires trust… Trusting that you will get past your fears and come out of it unscathed - or un-scratched if you happen to be dealing with a cat or another animal-like being. In order to trust, you have to muster up the courage to move beyond your fears of being hurt. You're still scared to take a chance, but you do it anyway. This develops both courage and trust. Or faith, depending on how you choose to look at it. But this is how we learn, grow and develop - by moving beyond that which we fear. It's a balancing act between courage and trust. And with practice, both will grow within us.

Remember: Trusting takes courage. Courage requires trust.

 
--- © Jeanette M. Pintar, inspired by Misty