Thoughts: The Cat’s Philosophy

That day, as usual, I got ready to work. That 8 to 5 work. That day I felt energized after finishing 20 minutes of weight training and 20 minutes of a quick run. I felt like I had won over my comfort blanket and decided to move. In the middle of my life, with no break time, I suddenly saw two cats chilling on the road. They got enough sunshine and were just lying down lazily. Their tummies were on the cold road, heads were rested on their front paws, and gazes were gradually disappearing as they closed their eyes. I suddenly felt envy. I wished I were a cat. This is one of the dreams that sounds irrational, but honestly, it does come to my mind sometimes. 

The cat’s philosophy. Something that suddenly pooped out of my head. See, human brains are weird. We think about cats’ things which they (the cats) don’t care about. When the cats don’t give a single care about their behavior terminology, we humans are busily defining the cat’s philosophy (or, was it just me?). It might sound weird to take a lesson from a cutie-little-ball-of-fur. But, if we try a bit hard to give a meaning to that simple thing, the cat might provide an answer. 

Cats, as I see them, can be considered as animal philosophers. 

Why’s that? 

Well, let’d dig in.

Couldn’t care less

They have self-autonomy. They may seem relax, unbother, and not easily swayed by unattractive things. They are content with whatever they have, and whoever they are. Cats living their life authentically, with no urge to satisfy others (including their owner). They will simply ignore people (of stuffs) that give no value to them. How many times have you been ignored by your cat (or stray cats on the road), even after trying so hard to get their little attention? On the other side, as humans, we are often distracted by the things that are not necessarily worth our attention. Something that sadly might drown us down. We think too much and care too often about what other people think. The negative emotions surge in while we use our head to think about what others might think about us. See, I’m using “ might” here because we both know it’s just an assumption. No real evidence confirming our belief. In the end, we become the victims of our mind. We suffer for the scenarios we create in our head.

Boundaries

Cats also know how to set boundaries, something that we find hard to do just because we feel bad for doing so.  They exactly know how to give a ‘NO’ signal by ignoring or taking a few steps back. But why is it so hard for us? Are we afraid of being judged? Let’s learn from the cats. We should know our priorities, be it work or personal life. Setting boundaries doesn’t mean that you have to be rude. Communicate effectively and deliver the message precisely in a nice way. Remember that we are human after all. We talk to humans, no matter who they are, so we should treat them as humans with respect, although we’re about to talk about the boundaries we are going to make. 

Know what only matters.

Cats often seem lazy. But I don’t think so. They may move in slow motion, but their eyes are hyper-focused. They focus on the things that only matter to them. Cats are well known for their quick response. They do care deeply about the things that attract them. Once cats know what they want, they move as fast as light. And this is what I found fascinating about them. Each movement is elegantly calculated. They preserve energy and only move once they know what they want. I think as humans, we need to learn how to keep our focus in check. Be mindful of our surroundings, focusing on our senses while grounding ourselves into the current moment. 

Incredibly brave creatures

Have you ever come across a compilation video showcasing cats’ remarkable bravery as they defend themselves against formidable creatures like snakes, tigers, and crocodiles? Living in a vast world, cats perceive bravery as a crucial means of protection and survival. Consequently, bravery isn’t merely a trait but also an essential aspect of their existence in this environment. During the pandemic in 2019, I’ve noticed a surge in paranoia, making me feel that even seemingly innocuous situations could potentially turn into dangerous and devastating circumstances. I acknowledge that this isn’t a healthy trait. I guess, I really need to learn from the cats’ unwavering bravery. 

Living in the Present

I’m not entirely sure what goes on in cats’ minds, but from my perspective, I’ve come to realize how effortlessly they embody the art of living in the present moment. Unlike humans who often dwell on the past or worry about the future, cats don’t overanalyze their actions. They simply jump whenever they feel like it, stretch their bodies after a long nap, and run into fast-driving vehicles just for no apparent reason (although this one is quite dangerous). While humans tend to focus on the future and past, contemplating what will be and what should have been, cats seem to be content with the present. They don’t worry about the probability of events that may never happen or regret the past while musing on all the “what-ifs.” 

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In the end, cats teach us that life isn’t about rushing to the next goalpost. It’s about being—fully, presently, and joyfully. So maybe, the next time you see a cat lounging without a care in the world, take a moment to pause, breathe, and simply exist.