List of Lessons in Alphabetical Order
For so many of us, cats have a special place in our lives. With their affection, grace, companionship and personality, cats can give us great joy and, in so many ways, they can also teach us – and remind us – of helpful truths. Whether through their traits, the way they so effectively set about things or through our observing and spending time with them, cats demonstrate that they have great wisdom.
In the pages that follow are sixty lessons inspired by the cat.
Enjoy them, think about them, and I very much hope that they may inspire and enrich you in some way.
‘Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.’
JOSEPH WOOD KRUTCH
When a cat wants feeding it will leave you in no doubt about what it wants. Whether it’s meowing loudly, standing in your way or looking pleadingly at the food cupboard, it is virtually impossible to ignore a determined cat. And the cat will keep on at you until you give in.
The cat is well aware of the importance of persisting, and persistence often pays. If there is something you want, don’t keep it to yourself and risk disappointment; be like the cat. Be forthcoming and ask. And ask again if necessary. It is through asking that you are more likely to receive.
‘To please himself only the cat purrs.’
IRISH PROVERB
The cat, the master of the good life, enjoys being pampered. And whether this is by being stroked or given attention, the cat indicates its pleasure with a deep and rhythmic purr. It is a cat’s way of saying ‘Thank you’ and, because we know it is grateful, we tend to carry on with the pampering even longer.
By showing appreciation of what others do, it will please those concerned, as well as make them more likely to respond positively to you again.
Be like the cat: appreciate and acknowledge the favours and kindnesses given to you.
‘No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.’
CARRIE SNOW
One of the cat’s delights is in taking a catnap. Whether it’s for a few moments beside a warm fire or in a sunny spot in the garden, the cat loves to curl up and enjoy a snooze.
This is something we too can benefit from. A few moments’ rest during the day can do us so much good. Either find somewhere quiet where you can close your eyes for a few minutes and get away from the noise and bustle around you, or, if you are able, lie down for a short time during the day. Such a break will leave you feeling better, refreshed and often more productive too.
Be like a cat and enjoy the benefits of an occasional catnap.
‘Cats are mysterious kind of folk – there is more passing in their minds than we are aware of.’
SIR WALTER SCOTT
Whether from a branch of a tree, a flat roof or some other location, the cat has a great talent for selecting vantage points where it can observe what is going on around it while remaining unnoticed.
Quiet observation is something we too can use to our advantage. Often our lives are so busy that we rarely stop to take a look at where we are, what we are doing or what our general position and purpose is. But if we adopt the cat’s practice and quietly observe and evaluate what is going on around us as well as the things we do, we could certainly notice more, and probably come up with more ideas and possibilities we can build on. Be like the cat and take time to quietly observe; your understanding and awareness will be so much greater as a result.