Lessons a cat can teach

cat
It goes without saying that if a dog can teach you lessons about how to handle your life, a cat can as well.

But these are radically different lessons!

But then, as a cat person you are different from a dog person – as every psychological test shows – and the things you want from life are different.

So what can a cat teach us?
You have to be easy to like. And there is no harm in being good looking as well. Those big eyes, that sinuous body, that fluffiness, that non threatening demeanour, can get your work done quicker. And there is no harm in looking helpless, specially if you are a female. Few people can deny the appeal of a good looking lady in need of assistance. If you are likeable, you don't really have to be useful. Care about what your audience wants more than you care about what you want to say and you will find them coming round to your own point of view gradually.

Cats are always interesting even when they are freaking out. Sometimes they are mysterious, sometimes playful but always fascinating. You don't have to like them to be riveted by them. Can you achieve the same manner? Not loud, not attention getting, just intriguing and mesmerizing. It takes work for people to say he/she is a cool cat! You need to get some emotion to arise when you appear. Choose an emotion. Decide in advance how you want your company to feel when they interact with you. The cat is a manipulative little beast – and I say this with great admiration and respect. Why shouldn't you be, as well? People stay, not because of what you teach them, but because of how you make them feel.

Take chances. Don't be afraid to look silly. Cats chase moving light points and get wrapped up in wool. No one is going to think you are silly, just an evil genius playing with the rest of the world. Your audience may like you or hate you, but make sure they are riveted by your complexity. People like having fun and deliberate silliness has its own charm.

A cat has it all figured out. Its real job is to make itself happy, its family happy and the rest of the world happy. That's why cats make good, strict, elegant mothers. That's why cats who believe that their human adopter is a parent without hunting abilities bring them dead animals to eat, that's why they allow themselves to be stroked, and spread their favours equally.

Cats teach you how to be successful. They are extremely solution-oriented. A cat will only do what is most appropriate and comfortable for the cat in any situation. A cat will get to the highest point in the room to get away from the dog. A cat will seek out the sunniest, warmest spot in the house to sleep the day away. A cat will only go to its owner if there's something in it for the cat (e.g. scratches, snacks, toys).

So, be goal oriented if you wish to be successful. Take a problem and find the solution. Don't have a job? Figure out what combination of skills, networking and attitude you need to land one. Work stressing you out? Figure out what you need to do to take the steps to remove that stressful situation. Money troubles? Come up with a plan and act on it. Do what a cat does – solve your problems as they come up, but make sure you are looking out for yourself in the process. Cats are content, and it's because they consider themselves and their happiness first, and figure out how to remove obstacles that are getting in the way of that happiness – without harming anyone else.

Cats are intensely resilient. If a cat loses one battle she moves on to another. If she loses her eyesight, she increases her sense of smell. If she was once happy chasing balls, now she is happy with another toy that keeps her occupied for hours. They don't spend days feeling sorry for themselves, they just get on with life and find different things to keep them happy. The ability to think on your feet and solve problems, and to work around the obstacles that are thrown your way are the two most important skills you can hone in order to achieve success. Courage in the face of adversity is a cat's true nature.

Cats are independent creatures. They offer love but, unlike dogs, are not dependent on getting love and attention back. They will sit on your lap for hours but will also disappear for hours at a time. They offer and receive love but they can also make their own entertainment. So why be completely dependent for amusement and affection on an outside source. To get it from inside you would be a meditative happiness. An independent person offers his/her view while staying open to those of others. Cats respect, but stay outside the status quo.

They're fastidiously clean. Grooming and appearance is important to them and they'll happily spend hours cleaning the same spot, making sure they're at their most attractive. They are not messy beings at all.

Unlike dogs, they don't play favourites and, since they think they are the most important people in their own lives, they do not recognize the concept of the boss of the house. They share their time with as many people as possible – owners, friends of owners, family members of owners and strangers outside. Keep your options open, never close a door completely, and converse with everyone – you never know what you might discover.

Stick to the hunt until you get the prize, no matter how long it takes. Be unwavering in your focus and oblivious to the outside world. This applies to all your goals - whether it was a much-desired project, a good job or new friends.

A cat sleeps for hours at a time and yet it can be up and gone in a flash if it needs to. A cat never wastes time on the trivial. She is either asleep or pursuing a goal. This requires an understanding of what is unnecessary, and a sharpening of the senses that allows you to be focused. And lots of rest. A cat knows what is important in the world to avoid, defend, cherish and enjoy. Do you ?
 
 
==================================
 
  
IFL  - Kuwait 2024