9 Cat Lessons on Boundaries, Relaxation, Persistence and Life…
This story is on the 9 Cat Lessons on Boundaries, Relaxation, Persistence, and Life…and credit goes to all the world’s cats.
I want to introduce you to a friend of mine: Jzumbula Kittae la Kunta.
I call her “Kunta,” and she’s a cat.
Cats are fascinating creatures, and Kunta has taught me several lessons I wanted to pass on to you.
Nine of them. It’s fitting since cats allegedly have nine lives.
I think Kunta had closer to 49 lives.
Lesson #1: Ask for what you want.
Kunta showed up outside my front window about 15 years ago. She looked in and meowed several times. I believe that was her way of telling me she wanted something: Food.
I gave her some food, and, as they say, the rest was history.
Lesson #2: Don’t do what you don’t want to do.
After she showed up, announced her presence, and made her request, I figured this cute little cat would let me pet her.
“Not!”
No, she wouldn’t let me get close enough to touch her for almost a month. And then she wouldn’t come inside the house for at least another month.
Good boundaries!
Remember: Boundaries, Relaxation, Persistence
Lesson #3: Have pride.
In her earlier years, Kunta was quite the huntress. I won’t list all the “critters” sacrificed, but I will tell you that Kunta often left their remains outside the front door.
Yes, it’s good to show off your talents, even though the rest of the world may not fully understand or accept them.
Lesson #4: Relax.
Kunta spent most of the hours of her life doing what I think she liked best: Sleeping.
She’d usually find a nice shady spot in the bushes or under a neighbor’s car…and she’d spend hours curled up or sprawled out, enjoying the fine art of doing absolutely nothing.
Sometimes, it’s good to do nothing.
Lesson #5: Go at your own pace.
Until about 5 years ago, Kunta was never a “lap cat.” She then decided that she wanted to spend some time on my lap. However, the amount of time and frequency was based on only one thing: Her.
She marched to the beat of her own drum and made her own decisions.
Yes, it’s best to go at your own pace, not the pace of others.
Lesson #6: Persistence.
Kunta never weighed more than 8 pounds…”Skinny Kitty” is what I call her sometimes.
Despite her petite size, she knew when she wanted to eat and let me know in no uncertain terms.
She had a meow closer to a bark and would sit outside my window “talking” until I let her in to get food. She would start pulling on the screen if I ignored her too long.
She never went away without getting what she wanted.
A good reminder for all of us: Never quit.
One more reminder:
Boundaries, Relaxation, Persistence
Lesson #7: Be picky.
In the summertime, Kunta always wanted to stay outside. But as soon as it got chilly, she was outside the window meowing, making her requests known, regardless of the time.
Of course, she then also wanted to snuggle in my bed to stay warm…followed by early morning wake-ups to go back out again.
It’s good to pick and choose precisely what you want when you want it.
Lesson #8: Be tough.
At 8 pounds and very skinny, you might think she was easy prey for the other cats in the ‘hood…nope, not even close!
She would climb a tree next to the house and sit on the roof to have the advantage should some other cat want to mess with her.
That’s pretty clever, I’d say.
Of course, she never backed down, either. I saw her run cats twice the size of her out of the yard. I believe she was fearless.
Courage will take you a long way in life.
Lesson #9: Play.
Kunta never played much. Catnip never did anything for her. Toys seemed to bore her. And the old piece of string got some interest, but I think she knew they were all fake. She likes to play with the real thing: Chasing squirrels, birds, and snakes.
Every once in a while, she’d go running through the house from one side to the other,
…but only when she was in the mood.
Playing occasionally and in your unique way is good for the soul.
I could go on and on about other lessons and stories, but I think you get the picture: Even cats can be influential teachers if we are simply open to the lessons.
Kunta decided a couple of weeks ago that it was time to become a butterfly, so she made her great transition.
I’m learning a new set of lessons I’ll pass on to you…Enjoy them!
Read more from Ken Donaldson here…