Meeting
your soul is not a onetime event but a moment-to-moment deepening, an
ongoing rite of passage from who you thought you were to who you really
are.
—Living
From The
Inside Out
When the doctor told me that I had high blood pressure, he also asked me if I had a pet. At the time, I was living alone, emotionally stressed, and physically exhausted. He explained that an increasing amount of published scientific studies showed that pet owners have lower blood pressure. "It has long been known that the act of stroking a pet can reduce blood pressure," he said, "but a study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that the beneficial effects continue even when the pet is not present." The research, which focused on a group of stockbrokers with hypertension determined that merely owning an animal companion can help lower blood pressure and keep it lower, even in stressful situations.
I wasn't a stockbroker but I was definitely under pressure. I was going through a divorce and I was "wound tighter than a tick," as we say in the South. Dr. Pennington's information was enough evidence to convince me that it was time to get a pet. Because of my work schedule, I decided that a cat would be the perfect addition to my life. On my way home from the office, I stopped by the pet store and purchased a litter box, cat food, water and food bowls, bed, scratching post, catnip, and toys. One hundred and seventy-eight dollars later, I was committed. The next day, I visited the local animal shelters and by the end of the week, Nefertiti was part of my family.
Although she was named after the Queen of Egypt, Nefertiti looked like an ordinary cat. She was an eight-pound short-haired tabby with keen hearing and sense of smell. Affectionate but reserved, she meandered through the house, inspecting potential resting spots.
I was eager to begin my prescribed therapy—lowering my blood pressure—by stroking my new animal companion. As soon as she curled up on the couch, I slid in next to her and began. As she started purring, I started relaxing.
Soon, I discovered that Nefertiti was a relaxation specialist. I recognized that she was a "master" when it came to resting and taking it easy. Before long, I began copying her.
Copying is the highest form of flattery. It's also one of the most effective ways to change behavior. Research reveals that a productive way to incorporate a new behavior into your life is to select a role model that already exemplifies what you want and emulate them.
I designated Nefertiti as my new role model. I studied her strategy and practiced her following simple steps: First, I got into a comfortable position. Next, I gently closed my eyes. Then, I breathed deeply and relaxed the muscles throughout my body. I became aware that Nefertiti chose to purr at this point but I focused on the word "one" or "hu," which is a Sanskrit word meaning oneness. As other thoughts entered my mind, I simply let them drift away as I inwardly repeated my chosen word continuously for ten minutes. Following that, I quietly listened for an additional ten minutes.
The plan worked. In a matter of months, my blood pressure was back to normal. Today, I still follow Nefertiti's relaxation technique. By setting aside quiet time twice each day, I enjoy a greater sense of peace, harmony, and connection. It allows me to get in touch with my inner master and enjoy the sacred guidance provided from the inside out.
Although Nefertiti is no longer on the physical plane, her legacy as a teacher, healer, heroine, and friend remains. She lived up to her name as an extraordinary empress. Unquestionably, Nefertiti ruled as the "Queen of Relaxation."
Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped. Today, they still are at my house.
Feel free to share this inspirational message with friends, just keep the copyright and credits intact. If you enjoyed this article and would like more practical guidance to soulful living, read Dr. Jean-Marie Hamel’s book, Living from the Inside Out.
© 2005 Jean-Marie Hamel