How to Think Like a Cat - Stephane Garnier 2018

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.

What of the cat, as regards self-esteem and this pride in what they are and what they do? A cat’s innate self-esteem and pride in itself is clearly an asset from which we may draw inspiration. Your cat is proud to be a cat, with all the advantages that represents.

Each cat is unique, and they know it. Cats don’t have to overdo it to convince themselves or those around them. Your cat is confident, with high self-esteem. Your cat has nothing to prove. To anyone. Your cat simply is.

Simply being a cat is reason enough to swagger with pride.

Be proud of the person you are: in that, you’ll be exceptional.

Food for Thought

’A cat’s eyes are windows that show us another world’

IRISH PROVERB