How to Live Like Your Cat. Roland Glasser

because you really do deserve it. Never doubt that!

      Think about yourself and your wellbeing. Look after yourself. Nobody will do it better or do more for you than yourself.

       Your Cat’s Day

      7.45: BREAKFAST

       Water and milk for your cat, in a clean bowl. Kibble and wet food – from cans or pouches but always good, fresh stuff – served in a clean spot.

       This might seem obvious, but how many of us really take the time to have a proper breakfast? How many of us knock back a quick tea or coffee, leaning against the kitchen sink, not even bothering to prepare a nice slice of toast?

       You’ve taken care of your cat, now take care of yourself. Having a proper breakfast in a comfortable manner is the best way to start your day, just as it is for your cat.

       Take the time to eat, to make some toast and spread it with that good jam that’s been languishing at the back of the fridge. Eat what you like, but take your time and enjoy it.

       Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as nutritionists are so fond of telling us. It’s also a way to look after yourself and your wellbeing, and start the day with a smile.

       Your Cat Accepts Itself as It Is, Your Cat Loves Itself

      ‘Cats are only human; they have their faults’

      KINGSLEY AMIS

      It’s a fact: we only create pain and disappointment for ourselves when we are unable to accept ourselves as we are. We are all born different, and most of us are dissatisfied with our condition, our body, our social standing. Far too many of us don’t love ourselves. We would rather be someone else instead of simply accepting who we are. Accepting ourselves also means discovering the riches and abilities that each of us possesses.

      Unlike the cat, we have a tendency to deny what we are, and instead focus on what we would rather be. That’s guaranteed to make you miserable.

      Does your cat ask itself this? Does your cat wonder what it would be like to be another cat or a different animal? Such a question clearly never enters a cat’s mind, because such a question is quite pointless. Cats are proud of what they are, as is proven by their almost haughty attitude to other animals – humans too sometimes.

      Your cat has the intelligence not to lumber itself with bogus questions that are liable to promote endless sterile ruminations. Consequently, your cat loves itself for itself, for what it is, and is therefore happy.

      Knowing how to accept yourself shouldn’t be complicated once you adopt the attitude of your cat, who considers itself to be great just as it is.

      We love cats first and foremost because they love themselves. Why not do as they do, without asking too many questions?

      Just try this: stand in front of the mirror in the morning and say ‘You know I love you?’ while laughing.

      Seems simple, but try it. You’ll have no choice but to smile.

      But what does that smile mean? That you love yourself enough or not? From the tone of that smile in the mirror – sad or joyful – you will see the path you must travel to definitively love and accept yourself in your new cat persona.

      To be loved, you must start by accepting and loving yourself.

      FOOD FOR THOUGHT

      ‘And how do you know that you’re mad?’

      ‘To begin with,’ said the Cat, ‘a dog’s not mad. You grant that?’

      ‘I suppose so,’ said Alice.

      ‘Well then,’ the Cat went on, ‘you see a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags its tail when it’s pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry.

      Therefore I’m mad’

      Lewis Carroll, ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

       Your Cat Has a Certain Swagger, Your Cat Is Proud

      ‘Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God’

      ANON

      We often confuse self-esteem and self-confidence. Although these two notions overlap and complement each other, a person can very well have self-confidence, yet not have much self-esteem, and vice-versa.

      Sounds a bit fuzzy? Well, let’s say, for example, that you’re an excellent salesperson, you have total confidence in your sales abilities and feel confident in yourself when out in the field, and yet each day you tell yourself that your work isn’t fulfilling, that it’s pointless, that there are better things you could be doing in this world, but that … Lack of self-esteem.

      The reverse, just to ram it home: you tell yourself that music is your passion, that you’re a talented musician, that you know this because of all the feedback you get from your fans, even though you’ve found success difficult to achieve because on stage … Lack of self-confidence.

      Are you proud of what you are? Of what you do?

      The image you have of yourself in what you do, in what you are, is just as important as your self-confidence. If you are in sync with your desires, your needs and your dreams, then self-esteem and self-confidence will often overlap and meld, and you’ll attain the peak of your fulfilment and your happiness.