Cats Are Great Teachers


Cats are great teachers.

Being home so much recently has given me the opportunity to witness these amazing creatures in a more detailed way.

Cats sleep.

A lot.

I think I heard once that cats sleep about 20 hrs. every day.

What I learn from that is they know how to take care of themselves. When they are tired, they sleep.
I imagine that our cats are wondering when my wife and I are going to leave them alone. Thankfully for them we leave every day at 5:00PM to go ride our bikes. I imagine them taking a long deep breath of gratitude when we do leave. They are finally able to get their peace and quiet.

Another thing that I find amazing about cats is their ability to read our emotions. When I am feeling stressed one of them (usually Squirt) will come and curl up with me on the couch. He has this innate sense that something is wrong with me. I appreciate that. I feel loved and comforted by his warmth and his purring.

Cats have their habits. Every day at 5:00PM my wife and I quit work for the day. When the computers close the cats start meowing. They know it’s time to eat. They get excited. They have learned that when they hear the computer, they will get fed.

Night is always a special time for us. Our other cat Miles (yes, we have a cat named Miles Davis) will lick my hand before I go to sleep. He wants to make sure that I am part of his cat tribe. I belong to him.

You may be asking why I am writing about our cats.

It is because I believe cats are here to teach us something. I believe there are five fundamental truths we can take away from them.

1.       We have the right to ask for our needs to get met.

2.       All our needs will be met.

3.       When tired rest, when hungry eat, and when upset let someone know.

4.       When you know of someone who needs attention reach out to them to see how they are doing.
5.       Be in the moment. React with love to what is happening now. Let go of the fear of the future and enjoy the amazing gifts of this beautiful now moment.

There are those who view cats as being very selfish and independent. Yes, I have seen that in my cats.
I also see them as wonderful teachers who are here to remind me that it’s OK to be myself. I admire the courage that cats have.

It is possible that I have been a cat in a previous life. I feel that close to them.

There has never been a time that I have felt more grateful for these wonderful creatures. I feel blessed to learn from them and to have the honor of being loved by them.





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