Hey guys! I see quite a few new faces around, so I figured it’s time to re-introduce myself and share some basic lessons to help you kickstart your new way of uncomplicated living, the cat-way.
I’m Aragorn and I’m a pretty handsome cat. They might have told you that looks don’t matter, but trust me, they do. Definitely in the cat world. How else would any of us ever find a home?
Anyway, I’ve spent many years observing hoomans and their funny ways, and after 10 years in their company, and teaching them quite a bit, I realised there must be more desperate hooman souls out there who could use some cat guidance too. And so I became a cat coach–that is a fancy word for someone who is supposed to help you live a better life. It’s funny anyone would even need that but such is the world and life of hoomans. They’re born and then they forget everything. At least everything important. You see, hoomans can make their lives so complicated. And yet, life really is simple. All you need is a pawsitive cattitude and to live a bit more catfully. Then life becomes a breeze.
But first, you need to stop asking yourself all those unnecessary questions. Two of my all-time favourites are: “What if...?” and “What’s my purpose?”
I mean, seriously. You guys just want to make your lives more difficult.
We cats have a much shorter span of life, and yet we never ask “What if...?” If we asked that question every time we wanted to jump that high shelf, ask for food, or try to fit into that cardboard box, we would never achieve anything. Not only do these thoughts slow you down, and therefore postpone the desired outcome, but they also put doubt into your soul. And while feeling doubtful, you will never achieve anything because you’ll freeze and then run away as fast as you can.
So, stop wasting time by asking all those silly “What if...?” questions. Do you feel like doing it? Great! Do it. You see, we all have instincts, and instincts always lead us the right way. Only some of you forgot to use them. So just jump and see what happens. And do not fear failure. Failure is part of the plan.
I can’t tell you how many times me or one of my brothers failed at jumping somewhere and our hoomans went all nuts about it. They started using their pitiful voices and were like “Aww, don’t worry, we haven’t seen that, we’ll pretend it never happened!” As if we needed them to. They falsely interpret our confident leave for shame. But they couldn’t be further from the truth.
Cats never feel any shame. At least not for themselves.
We tried. It didn’t work out. That’s fine. You see, with every failure you’re getting closer to your goal. So the quicker you fail, the quicker you get there. And there’s absolutely nothing shameful about failing. That’s why we don’t crawl away when such things happen but rather proudly walk away.
So really, instead of asking that “What if...?” question (Ha! Now you’re surprised how I weaved it nicely together, huh?) just go ahead and fail. Or not. Either way, it’s much quicker to just try it rather than elaborating on all the possible outcomes and losing sleep over something that could be solved in a second. I mean, ever wondered why we spend so much time sleeping? Exactly. Because we don’t waste our time on what-ifs.
Now let’s get to the juicy part: “What’s my purpose?” This one’s funny. People apparently spend lifetimes looking for their purpose, as if it were something they could find somewhere on the street. Now, I’m not exactly a street-wise cat. I've been lucky enough in my life to be a house cat since the day I was born, thanks to my irresistible looks. Some could even call me spoilt, but honestly, I only get what I deserve. In any case, I’m pretty sure you can’t find anyone’s purpose lying on the street, least of all yours. The purpose lies in catfulness. That is, living in the moment.
The fact that you are alive and living this day.
Let me rephrase that:the purpose is to L I V E.
So next time you go looking for your purpose, do yourself a favour and stop and feel yourself alive. Roll out on your back and let someone scratch your belly. Purr because you’re next to your loved one. Observe. Learn. Breathe. And repeat.
