For anyone who doesn't read my statuses on Facebook, this my friends is hobo cat. We found her yesterday in a bush outside of my apartment complex. She's incredibly sweet and lovable, and in all seriousness, we named her Calico--not hobo cat. You may call her Cali for short if you'd like or simply hobo cat if you're into nicknames like me.
The point is Cali is sweet, lovable, sensitive in all the right ways, caring, humble, easy going, easy to get along with, and unselfish. Everything you should strive to be in a human being, she's accomplished as a cat. In other words, if an angel could be a kitty, Cali would be it. Even when she placed her claws into my couch, all I had to do was rebuke her and she listened. I wish they made more humans who listened to correction and criticism like Cali has.
My point is if this cat can get it right, why can't we?
I've spent 24 hours with this cat and I've observed unique qualities in her that I think we should all aspire to possess in our own lives.
So what can hobo cat teach us?
1. Don't sweat the small stuff- Joel gets worried easily. And I can identify with that because I used to be the same way. One of my favorite verses in Scripture is Luke 12:25, which asks the simple question: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" The simple answer is....no one. No one can add an hour to their day by worrying. And that's the point. The great irony in that verse is that worrying doesn't add anything to your life, it instead takes away from your life. It takes your time, money, energy and emotions. So stop sweating the small stuff. But don't take my word for it, ask hobo cat. She's sleeping for the 13th hour today.
2. Focus on what's important- I know it sounds cliche but it's absolutely true. The more you listen to self-help gurus, spiritual leaders and experts; they all seem to say the same thing. Don't overcomplicate your life, slim down your life by getting your priorities in order, don't take on more than you can handle, set realistic goals, live a more simple life instead of a hard one. It kind of ties in with "Don't sweat the small stuff" but basically get your priorities in order. Focus on what really matters in life. For me that's four things: Family, friends, faith and finances. I try my best to stick to that model but that doesn't mean I'm always successful. But if Cali can stick to her priorities (eating, sleeping and....pooping) than we can focus on what matters in our lives. If hobo cat can avoid trouble (like chasing birds into the street) and additional stress (you heard me, Cali....don't break anything) than so can we. Follow hobo cat's lead...focus on what's important.
3. Love wins- What's cuter than a cuddly cat begging to be loved? Why can't we be that loving? Why can't we be so consumed with love we beg to be loved back? The great part about it is as Cali displays love towards me, the more I show love right back. Man, maybe we could rub off on people in a positive way if we were just more like my stray cat and less like the self-absorbed, materialistic people we've become. Imagine what kind of relationships we'd have in our lives if we just followed my hobo cat's lead. As Charlie Sheen would say, "WINNING!"
Those are the three lessons I've learned from hobo cat in the past 24 hours. I have to say, hobo cat is an incredible life coach. Guys like Tony Robbins and Joel Osteen could probably learn a thing or two from hobo cat. Now if you'll excuse me, hobo cat is sleeping and I don't want my loud typing to wake her. I can tell because she's curled up and her paws are twitching like she's having a dream. Maybe she's dreaming of a better world where people were kinder, gentler, focused...and with less dogs.
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