I am going to let you in on a sneaky little secret – you’ll either love what I have to say or hate it but I’m gonna’ tell you anyway ‘cause (even if you don’t like it – it might help you) that’s the way I roll… There is a way to tell if you or your best chick friend is really happy (despite what you tell yourself or what she tells you.) In fact there is a way to tell if any person around you is truly happy (despite what they say.)
All you gotta’ do is take a look at their C.A.T.S. It’s true! I was hanging with Dr John Tickell (medical Doctor, International Speaker, Best Selling Author and TV Personality) the other day and he shared this wisdom with me. Doc Tickell definitely said ‘If you want to know how anyone is really doing in life – take a look at their C.A.T.S.’
OK you’re a smart chick – I know you’ve figured out I don’t mean cats as in ‘meow, purrrrr’ cats.
C.A.T.S stands for:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Sugar
The cold, hard truth is: If you’re over indulging in any C.A.T.S then something in your life is out of whack. OUCH! I bet that hurt? I know it would have hurt me just a year ago to be told that- ‘cause I wouldn’t have wanted to openly admit that anything was out of whack in my life but gee whizz did my C.A.T.S tell a different story.
The “A” and the “S” was my chosen poison at the time. They were never an every- day thing but I sure did indulge in them on occasion. Why? ‘Cause something in my life was out of whack that I didn’t want to face and the “A” and “S” was a great way to sweep it under the carpet for a moment at a time. Funny thing is I’d always feel even worse than before once the ‘high’ wore off.
I’ve dealt with my out-of-whack-ness now and I can confidently say that my C.A.T.S are lookin’ good! Why? ‘Cause I’m feeling good – like truly! I actually had my basal metabolic age tested the other day and I’ve become five years YOUNGER in the past year. I’m no longer trying to numb anything, I’m no longer trying to escape my reality with C.A.T.S- I’ve created my reality and I totally dig it- ‘cause it’s right for ME!
Now don’t go getting all Princessy on me I’m not saying you should abstain from all C.A.T.S (no actually I reckon you should ditch the “T” completely) but I am saying next time you catch yourself overindulging in any of them just be mindful. Ask yourself ‘What is it about my reality that I’m trying to escape? What feeling am I trying to numb? Why am I giving more energy to my C.A.T.S then I am to myself?’
Look I’m a real chick – I’m an ex party girl and an ex choc-o-holic. I still enjoy the odd glass of bubbly or two here and there but I no longer feel the need to polish off the entire bottle and then some. I still enjoy a beautiful dessert on occasion but I don’t feel the need to eat an entire block of chocolate between meals.
I’m an advocate of the 80/20 principle and it’s so easy to maintain if you’re gutsy enough to face your own truth and create a reality that you honestly enjoy. You’ll quickly discover that as soon as you’ve faced your reality and dealt with it the need to escape it disappears – which means your C.A.T.S stay under control.
Are your C.A.T.S trying to tell you something? Perhaps it’s time to listen?
If you need help getting your life and C.A.T.S sorted then my EmPowered Creative Living eCourse is for you. Join us at www.chicksinthesticksonline.com
- Please note if you have a serious addiction or think a friend might be suffering from a serious addiction please seek professional help.
- www.helplines.org.au (for info on all help lines available in Australia dealing with various addictions and crisis.)
- www.alcoholicsanonymous.org.au
Ph 1300 22 22 22 (for your nearest venue)
- www.beyondblue.org.au (depression and mental health information)
- Lifeline 24 hour crisis support Ph 13 11 14
