I have to be honest: I’ve not had the best of weeks.
I should have posted this piece last Sunday but I’ve had a massive writer’s block. COVID-19 cases are on a sharp rise where I am so I’ve stopped going to the local co-working space (where there was a positive case) — from that my amount of social interaction has decreased significantly to just my boyfriend. Plus, since I’ve not been around, only two people have thought to check-in on me.
I’ve not been able to exercise because my knees have been acting up all week, my German classes at the local Goethe-Institut have moved from physical to online-only, I’m having a bit of a slump with freelancing work, and best of all: my “Aunt Irma” has decided to pay a visit.
By the time Friday rolled around, I was exhausted both mentally and physically.
But yesterday a cat sat on my lap, purring, and all those mundane problems just…melted away. Which brings me onto the final Rule in Dr Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life:
Rule #12: Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.
“Hating life, despising life — even for the genuine pain that life inflicts — merely serves to make life itself worse, unbearably worse.”
Rule #12 is a funny one, but as you read further into the chapter you’ll realise that Dr Peterson’s “final” rule is a lot deeper than it seems at first.
Happiness isn’t something that is owed to us, sadly. It is something that requires a lot of hardwork and occasionally some sacrifice. But once you accept this, you can put more time and energy into seeking it out instead of hating that you can’t ever ‘catch a break’.
“Maybe when you are going for a walk and your head is spinning, a cat will show up and if you pay attention to it for just fifteen seconds that the wonder of Being might make up for the ineradicable suffering that accompanies it.”
Yes, life can suck. You might live with chronic pains, struggle through various mental health issues, or suffer through panic attacks caused by a traumatic experience. You can experience rejection, get ghosted by that cute guy you went on a date with once, or be betrayed by someone who you thought was your compatriot.
Those are terrible things to experience, I agree completely.
But life is also full of little pockets of happiness, if you know how to find them — if you want to look for them. Your daily cuppa, an exceptionally amazing lunch, a smile from your co-worker. The sun on your face, the smell of your conditioner, an old favourite playing on the radio.
A loved one sitting across the table from you — safe, alive, healthy.
Sometimes, you have to make your own happiness. Smile at yourself in the mirror, or perhaps you smile at your co-worker today — no matter how hard it might be. Happiness is infectious and happiness can be it’s own positive feedback loop.
Maybe a stray cat will bless you with the opportunity to pet it. Even better, it might even enjoy your scratchies in all its glory.
Or maybe it will climb on your back and beg you to adopt it with promises to love you forever and ever.
Either way, sometimes you’ll have to actively search for happiness that life has to offer. Sometimes, Life might decide to give you a solid and hand you a small respite — should you choose notice it.
Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.
This piece is the final of my journey applying the 12 Rules for Life to my own — publishing one piece over a period of twelve(ish) weeks.
Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, and Part 11. Get 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos here (affiliate link).
Liked this piece? Consider following me here on Medium.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this piece are affiliate links which earns me a commission for each purchase made, at absolutely no extra cost to you
