“With love and patience, nothing is impossible.”
— Daisaku Ikeda
I adopted a cat to keep my other cat company. It has been quite the adventure.
He’s fearless. Rambunctious. All boy, all the time. Nothing is truly safe in his presence. Hence his name: Lokai—a playful twist on Loki, the Norse god of mischief.
One of the reasons I love animals so much is because they teach me valuable lessons. And Lokai? He’s been one of my best teachers yet.
Lately, I’ve been working on my home—rearranging rooms, painting, decluttering. This process has created piles. Lots of piles. For Lokai, it’s paradise. He’s had the time of his life exploring, toppling, pouncing, and “treasure hunting” (often breaking said treasures in the process).
The other night, I heard a loud crash from the bedroom and ran in to investigate. Somehow, he had climbed to the top shelf and knocked down my iron, shattering it into worthless pieces. Now, I’m not usually that attached to my iron. But since I’m currently living out of piles, ironing has become unexpectedly important. I found myself feeling irritated and a bit fed up with his antics.
So, I did what many of us do when we’re on edge—I called my mom. I vented (to avoid entertaining any cat-torture fantasies), and by the end of the call, we were laughing. I was reminded of all the joy Lokai brings into my life.
And I was reminded of something deeper, too.
Like Lokai, we all find ourselves in environments that aren’t entirely natural to us. I mean—were any of us really made for cubicles? Probably not. Still, we adapt. We learn. And when someone new (human or animal) enters our world, there’s a learning curve for them, too.
It helps to remember that the environment we’ve grown comfortable in might feel strange or overwhelming to someone else. It’s on us to help the newbies adjust—to show patience, extend support, and teach them what it means to be part of our world. When we do that, we open the door to strong relationships, understanding, and mutual success—whether at home, work, or in the middle of a cat-created disaster zone.
Wishing you patience with those who are learning—yourself included.
Cheri