Twenty-five Statements of Advice

Your Mz Paws Has Returned From Vacation

Renewed, restored, rejuvenated, and resplendent -- sometimes a bit of self-aggrandizement is good for the tail -- yours truly has returned from the seaside, where salt air gives fur a special shine.

In honor of my return, I would like to share with you something that a kind friend shared with yours truly (I may like a bit of self-promotion, but your Mz Paws would never plagiarize!). Here it is, some words of wisdom or folly, depending upon how one takes them. I'm taking them as wisdom, myself, although regarding #5, yours truly doesn't have one, and regarding #11, my one and only litter has long since left the nest.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

14. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

23. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

24. Forgive everyone everything.

25. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Always your

Mz Paws

Mz Paws Goes On Vacation

Your Mz Paws

is Going Away for

a Few Days!

Everyone, including all my dear readers and adoring fans, need a break from day-to-day routine. Even if it's just to play with a piece of string. But I am very lucky to be going somewhere very nice by the sea. You can see here that I am finishing up my post and will be ready to go any moment now.

Now YOU, dear reader and adoring fan, must also go and DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY. Just one little thing. You'll feel a lot better.

I'll be back next week. Until then, I am

Always your

Mz Paws

Major Depression: Silent Suffering

Major depression: When your reflection doesn't jive with your insides....

Your Mz Paws has found an article from the NY Times that everyone should read, especially anyone who has suffered major depression, anyone who knows someone who has suffered major depression, anyone who knows someone who knows someone....well, dear readers, you get the idea. And for all those who work with those who are suffering from depression, too.

Daphne Merkin, a writer for the NY Times, has bravely written of her experience of the exquisite torture, internal and external, that major depression inflicts on its sufferer. The article is called "A Journey Through Darkness." Mz Paws requests, no BEGS, you all to read this article. Click here. At some point, a creature you know and love might be afflicted with this terrible disease, and Mz Paws has never read anything that approaches her own experience with the illness (yes, the cat's out of the bag -- so to speak -- your very own Mz Paws suffers from depression from time to time!). Yes, cats, rabbits, deer and even d-o-g-s, suffer depression. Especially when they are abandoned or abused. It is a serious illness for all creatures! The signs are sometimes visible, sometimes hidden.

For all those out there who want to know what it is like, and those who have depression and cannot describe what it is like, this article is one of the best on depression that yours truly has ever come across -- it is akin to William Styron's book about his depression called "A Darkness Visible."

Please read this article. For all those you know who might be suffering silently with this illness. Thank you from my heart. And Mz Paws knows that all those who are suffering thank you, too.

Always your

Mz Paws

(Just click here for the article)

P.S. Ms. Merkin just published an article in last Sunday's NY Times Magazine Section on therapy, called My Shrunk Life. Click here for that article.

Friends

Mz PAWS WOULD LIKE

YOU, YES, YOU

Dear Reader, to comment, in 50 words or less, what having a good friend means to YOU.

Yours truly has a very good friend named Milo. Do you have a friend like Milo? Your Mz Paws would very much like to know.

Always your

Mz Paws