If it hadn’t happened to me, I’m not sure I would have believed that I could learn such an important life lesson from my cat.

This story begins four years ago during a time of major transition. My husband and I had recently separated, and my daughter and her cat had been living with me for six months. I had forgotten how much I loved cats—until I met Vele.

Vele and I quickly developed a rhythm. After logging off work each evening, I’d head into the kitchen to make dinner, and she’d sit patiently in the doorway, waiting for our nightly ritual—cuddling on the couch while watching a movie. For a cat who is known to be aloof, her bond with me was surprising. My daughter even joked that Vele preferred me over her.

So when my daughter shared that she had found a place of her own, I wasn’t just sad—I was crushed. Not because she was leaving, but because Vele would be leaving with her.

I knew right then: I was going to get a cat.

I found a local shelter that rescued cats from South Florida and brought them up to New Hampshire. Scrolling through their website felt oddly like online dating—reading profiles, checking photos, personalities, and stats. That’s when I found Parker, a stunning gray cat with piercing blue eyes. It was love at first sight. I convinced myself he was my cat.

But just before his trip north, Parker was adopted by someone else. I was devastated. I had built a whole story around Parker, a story so tightly wrapped around my heart that losing him felt like rejection. I poured my heartbreak into my journal and shared my grief with my dear friend Claudia, who had stood by me through singlehood, marriage, and now my return to single life.

Claudia gently pointed out that what I had been clinging to wasn’t Parker the cat—it was the idea of Parker. He represented a longing to love and feel loved, and to fill the void of loneliness. Her words landed. I realized I needed to let go, to surrender, and to trust in divine timing.

A few days later, I stopped by the adoption center—on a day when they weren’t open to the public—just to fill out the paperwork. As I handed in the forms, I heard a little cry from one of the stalls.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

“That’s Milo,” the woman replied. “You can go in and meet him.”

I stepped into the small stall and looked down to find a four-month-old ginger tabby with enormous eyes gazing up at me. We shared a silent moment of awe. I asked him if I could hold him, and the moment I picked him up, something surged through me. My whole body trembled. I called out, “Looks like I’ll be taking a cat home today.”

I hadn’t planned on adopting a cat that day, but I found my cat.

Since then, Milo and I have been inseparable. He has a way of showing up exactly when and where I need him. He purrs on my chest when I’m emotional, curls up on my hip when I’m in pain, and lays on my head when my sinuses are congested. I call him my Shaman Cat, not just for the healing hum of his purrs, but for the deep love we share.

That day at the shelter taught me what I now call The Milo Moment. It’s that magical moment when something you’ve longed for arrives—but only after you’ve completely surrendered. There’s no striving, no pushing, no overplanning or worrying. There’s simply trust. Acceptance. And a quiet confidence that “this or something better” is on the way.

Looking back, I realize I’ve had several Milo Moments in my life—each shaped by surrender.
One came when I received a “yes” on my book proposal.
Another when I bought my home—on my own.
But one of the most powerful Milo Moments happened during the pandemic, when I had been searching for a job for six long months.

I had done everything right: hired a resume writer, updated my LinkedIn, collected recommendations. But nothing was landing.

On August 8, 2020—on the Lion’s Gate—I created a manifesting ritual. I acknowledged my deep desire for employment and then I surrendered. I opened myself to new possibilities, industries, and roles that I hadn’t considered before.

The very next day, I felt nudged to take just one small step: search LinkedIn. I quickly found a posting that matched my skills exactly. I hit “quick apply.”

The following morning, I heard from a recruiter. By the next week, I had two interviews and an offer. Five years later, I’m still with that company—doing work I love, with a team I admire. If you had told me back then that I’d be thriving in the semiconductor industry, I would have laughed. But here I am.

The secret to manifesting isn’t just clarity—it’s surrender.
First, get clear on what you desire.
Then, trust that it will arrive—or that something better will.
This isn’t always easy. But it’s where the magic lives.

Join Us for the Lion’s Gate Gathering
A sacred space for your own “Milo Moment”

If you’re longing for clarity, feeling stuck, or holding tight to a dream that hasn’t yet arrived—this gathering is for you.

Together, we’ll create the conditions for what I call a Milo Moment—that beautiful unfolding where something you deeply desire arrives only after you’ve surrendered, let go of the timeline, and opened your heart.

This is not just another manifestation workshop. It’s a soul-centered experience rooted in trust, creativity, and divine timing.

You’ll be welcomed into a circle of soulful seekers—kind, compassionate women who, like you, are ready to pause and reconnect with their inner wisdom. We’ll begin by setting sacred space and grounding into the energy of the Lion’s Gate, a cosmic portal known for amplifying intention and spiritual insight.

From there, we’ll journey inward through guided meditation, breath, and creative expression. You don’t need to be an artist—just open to exploring your truth through the creative process. You’ll be guided step-by-step to connect with your heart’s desires, tune into what’s ready to be released, and gently open to receive something new—perhaps even something better than what you imagined.

Throughout our time together, you’ll experience:

• A soul journey meditation to connect with your inner guidance
• Creative time with intuitive mandala-making or journal prompts
• Gentle sharing in a supportive, nonjudgmental space
• Sacred rituals to release, realign, and call in your next chapter

Whether you’re hoping to manifest a relationship, a new home, a meaningful job, or simply peace in a challenging time, this gathering holds space for the in-between—that tender place where surrender meets trust, and transformation begins.

Let this be your Milo Moment—not by chasing or forcing, but by showing up with an open heart and allowing magic to meet you halfway.

We begin soon. Will you join us?

Click here for more details and to register.

With deep gratitude that you are here.
(((soul hugs)))
Kathryn Costa

P.S. Milo just walked across my keyboard and here is what he had to say, ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸FRTDG””””””?G÷==