THE SOULMAN

TUXEDO HOE

To my way of thinking we all have one. In fact, I believe that every sentient being does. Of course, I am talking about the soul. There are many ways and words to describe it. Essence, spirit, nature, life-force, energy, and psyche are just some of the more well known. And virtually all the world’s religions believe in something within us that exists beyond the physical realities of living day to day in a real world and that continues after our natural end.

I get it.

The thought of a finite existence is terrifying to most human beings. I know it can be for me, especially as I get older. The very idea that our existence here is finite gives me a sincere appreciation for the power and privilege of simply being alive. So, I do my best to live fully day by day. However, I also realize that I will not know until I do. And I am in no particular hurry to find out.

What I am more interested in exploring with this offering is how the soul is synonymous with the nature of a living being. I have deliberately used the broader term “living being” rather than “human being” because I believe ALL living creatures posses it. Think of the terms “good natured” or “of a gentle nature.”  Of course, there are the negative ones too like “mean spirited” or “ornery.” Yes, as whole human beings, we have a bit of all these traits. But I’m thinking of the more dominant characteristics that, once again, ALL sentient beings have. In other words, it’s how do we present ourselves to the world. And it’s often intuitive. It’s just how we ARE.

This notion is constantly being reinforced in my reactions not only with other people but particularly when I deal with my pets and the other animals I encounter. I think anyone (like me) who owns and has been around animals their entire lives know exactly what I am talking about. We recall each and every one of them AND what made them unique in their own way. However, there are some of such nature, i.e. with that deep soul, that they become so very special. It makes it a pleasure simply to be around them. You connect. Understanding is on a level beyond words. THAT’s soul. And that’s what makes the bond so special. And it is expressed through a being’s nature. Perhaps that’s what makes it so, well, soulful.

I have had this relationship with both cats and dogs in the past, and the tradition continues with my latest charge, my cat Tuxedo Joe. Joe came to me about 5 years ago when I answered a Facebook plea to provide a home for a “special cat” (the ads italics, not mine). The ad basically said that this little tuxedo cat (about 9 months old at the time) had jumped into a delivery truck in Spring Valley, NY and wouldn’t leave. The driver brought him home to give to the friendly “cat lady” at his apartment complex. She took him in but couldn’t keep him as she already had her limit. She explained in the post that he had some minor health issues that needed addressing but he had this way about him (that’s right soul) and if someone gave him a chance, he would be a great friend.

Well, I decided to take the chance.

In the beginning, it was a real challenge. Even though he was young, he was feral and not used to being kept inside. Plus, he was supposed to have been neutered but he was not. He also had the aftereffects of a neurological disorder that left him walking a little like a drunken sailor.  And he was destroying my apartment. But there WAS something special about him – in every sense of the word. Despite his impediments, he refused to let life defeat him. I mean you could FEEL his life force, i.e. his soul. He takes life at ITS pace and makes it work for HIM. And he was/is so loving. Again, despite his wild and feral beginnings (BTW, he still stays outside about 90% of the time in nice weather) he is most gentle being. He NEVER hunts or kills ANYTHING! It’s simply not in his nature, i.e. soul. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Some call them angels or bodhisattvas, i.e. envoys from a higher power sent to show us the way to enlightenment. I am not so convinced of that. However, what I am more confident in is that these beings, in whatever form they happen to take, are of a nature to teach us by their very act of being to accept who we are and why we are here.

Needless to say, Joe and I are bonded. And, why not? A deep soul is a deep soul no matter where it is found. They live among us and in many forms. I hope that I may have the same effect on others as Tuxedo Joe has had on me and I’ll also have earned the title SOULMAN.