Dear Human 💕, 

I enjoy playing with the curly ribbons you’ve been adding around those boxes that you’re hiding from the other human. 

I know you’re excited to have other humans unwrap those boxes soon. You spent a lot of time thinking about what they might like. And now you’re looking forward to seeing their reactions. It makes you happy when they actually enjoy what you got for them.

I’ve learned that humans enjoy making other humans happy. Humans want to make the world better for each other – even if it’s just making something a little easier. Humans like to help. Humans like to make a difference. Meow, at least the decent humans I surround myself with do.

So, around the holidays humans give each other wrapped boxes with curly ribbons. But I have seen humans give a lot of different things. Not just things, but also money, time, attention, energy, and support.

Here’s what I’ve figured out: giving can make humans feel good, if it comes from the right place. If humans want to give, it makes them feel good. However, if humans feel they have to give – out of guilt, pity, shame, or  obligation – then it makes them feel resentful.

Think about it:

• Getting a gift for one of your favorite humans because you saw something perfect? Feels good.

• Buying something for that relative you barely know just because you “should”? Feels terrible.

So, don’t give because you feel you have to. It’s okay to say no. Only give what you want to give.

And no matter how much you might want to give, know your limits. Only give what you can give – whether that’s money, time, or energy. Don’t sacrifice yourself. Consider your own needs. Don’t deplete your own energy. You need it to keep giving.

And here’s something else that’s important: Don’t push back when another human wants to give to you. I know you do this. Someone offers to help and you say “Oh no, I’m fine, I’ve got it.” Someone gives you a gift and you immediately feel guilty or try to refuse it.

Stop that. Appreciate the gift! Let them have the joy of giving to you. That’s a gift too.

You can always pay it forward and give something to another human (or me):

Invite them over for dinner, help them put that IKEA furniture together, take them to a rage room (humans seem to enjoy smashing things) , treat them to a day at the sauna, get them that board game that they’ve been eyeing for months, grab things off tall shelves at the store for strangers, donate to a charity, volunteer (at the animal shelter, maybe), or give me some treats or cuddles.

If giving doesn’t feel good, you’re doing it wrong.

Yours,
Cat 🐾

P.S. You can give me treats anytime. I am happy to make you happy by making me happy. 💕