lessons learned

My friend, Lisa, recently gave me a bunch of fun little cat books. One of them was this little gem, All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat (And Then Some): Double-Platinum Collector's Edition by Suzy Becker.

This books is awesome! It starts with a hilarious quiz to determine if you are a cat person. I wish I could include some of the frames from the quiz because it nails the characteristics of the crazy cat person. The book is a collection of simple cat sketches and tidbits of wisdom that Suzy Becker had learned from her cat, Binky. Amazon.com lets you see a few of the pages from inside the book from an earlier edition, which can be found at this link: All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat

As I read it I realized there have been many lessons my cats have taught me. Here are a few:

• always be curious
• don't be afraid to take risks
• don't be afraid to ask for what you want
• play like no one's watching
• new perspectives can be helpful
• never underestimate the power of a snuggle
• delegate the hard work to others
• never pass up a cozy spot
• never pee or poop near your food
• purr more than you hiss
• be able to entertain yourself
• take pride in your work
• discover the fun within every box
• baths are more fun when taken with others
• it's ok to get your crazies on
• always explore
• stay warm
• you need not always be consistent
• routines can be advantageous
• always choose your battles carefully
• don't be afraid to push the boundaries
• there's nothing wrong with cleaning out your friend's ear
• indulge yourself with treats
• you can never get too many treats 
• you get more loves when you bathe daily
• a treat chaser always makes the medicine go down better
• always insist on fresh water
• live free of shame
• be generous with your love
• leap high to reach your goals
• be festideous when using the bathroom
• a little brushing can do wonders for one's appearance
• clearly communicate your displeasure
• cute can come at any size
• don't be afraid to play in the night
• it's ok to be goofy
• know when to not take yourself too seriously
• persistence often pays off
• don't be afraid to fully use your senses
• know your space well
• don't hold back from putting your unique mark on your space
• at times it can be advantageous to let others believe they are really in control
• adding a little drama to a routine action makes life more interesting
• make time to play everyday

And the list could go on...