We Live Nine Lives
I was thinking about the phrase recently, “cats have nine lives.”
It seems we too can go through nine lives, or more, in our lifetime. Consider that each time we have a significant experience, it changes us in some way. How many times do we actually have a major life event? More than you realize….
They can include becoming an adult, getting married, having children, the start of a career, the end of a job, beginning a new job, a promotion to a new position at work, a divorce, a health crisis, an accident, a recovery, the loss of a loved one. The list goes on….
Thinking back on the trials and tribulations is it not true that you have landed back on your feet through each transition?
Where you are today is because of where you have been, and as a result, you are a different person. At the core, you are the same person with the same values and personality. But, you are now making contrasting decisions with new perspectives and possibly better choices.
We learn from each experience, leaving behind a piece of ourselves replaced with a stronger, wiser version. Each new life is an opportunity and in some ways a gift.
An ancient proverb claims, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.”
Human life runs the same pattern. For the first three lives, we are in the playground, building and going from one activity to the next. We may slide, spin, swing or run around. There is a sense of freedom and joy, just enjoying the momentum of living. Something happens at a crossroad from the play period to the stray period.
The next three lives we may stray from what we intuitively know, the knowledge we have gained and what we learned in the first three lives. We may get knocked down, once, twice, maybe three times or more. Endurance is our best friend and engaging the will to push forward with resilience is the power to get us through these lives. Getting thrown off track creates distress and a drive to course correct.
For the final three lives, we are now on the last leg of our life journey. We can look back in hindsight, see the path we have forged and can chuckle at the lives we have lived thus far, and the miracles that we have landed on our feet time and time again. Now, we can stay grounded and live more in the moment because we have experienced life’s curveballs, moved on to joy with the ultimate goal of inner peace. We have learned to love life as it has presented itself keeping in mind there are only a few lives left in us before we take our last breath.
We live nine lives….
Eileen thanks for your insights. Yes, each significant event surely does lead to adjustments.
And to landing on your feet as yourself . . .
Yet transformed by the experience.
Nine lives is a great metaphor to use for your musings today.
Cynthia,
You are most welcome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I like to see it as each transformative experience is an opportunity to adapt and pivot through the lessons learned. Just curious, how many lives would you say you have lived up to this point? And, what have been the key take aways from each “life” lived?
Cheers!
Eileen
Eileen, we humans have taken a good leaf out of the poor cat’s book!
On a serious note, the 9 lives analogy does have a ring of truth in it. Mostly, experience mellows our ineptitude to wisdom. Wisdom is more often the characteristic of the last 3 proverbial lives of we- the humans.
Rajat,
I think you may be right!!
Yes…experience can awaken us to wisdom, which provides us opportunities for better/wiser choices and a more relaxed view of our life. Winding down at the end for the last 3 lives, we no longer strive to be somewhere or become someone; rather we settle into knowing we are already “there.” And, our time is drawing near to the conclusion of a life well lived through thick and thin. For are we not really just a reflection in the mirror of time and space walking a path of progress that comes from learning, then culminating in a slowing down to enjoy the fruits of our labors?
It is interesting to observe humans in these different phases of 9 lives. A lot can be learned if you ask the same question in each section, the mindset and perception are quite fascinating highlighting the trajectory of our individual processing through each life stage. I know my awareness has shifted over time and how I view each day is more meaningful and precious as I get older.
Thank you for your thoughts! Cheers! Eileen
This article is a perfect read for a Monday morning, Eileen and so insightful. It resonates with me for sure. I feel like now I live life more purposefully than I did before and am in tune to so much more. I am grateful for the many seasons of life and the lessons therein. Each day is an opportunity and a chance for us to continue connecting the dots.
Laura, thank you! So glad this inspired you for a Monday morning. Living on purpose is a great place to be and that is wonderful you are grateful for the seasons and life lessons within each one. Yes! Each day is a new opportunity and definitely a continuation of the journey connecting the dots. Just curious, what have been your most recent “ah, ha’s”? I continue to get them myself, even after all the years of learning and personal/professional growth….seems it is an infinite road we travel!
My most recent “ah, ha” is living for today and doing my best to embrace what today holds. It’s not that I don’t think about the future, I do. It’s not that I’m not a planner. I am. But, I am choosing to focus my energy on each day vs. worrying about tomorrow or the next day. I guess you could say I’m reframing my mindset, and it is making a difference. I even find that I worry less and enjoy more, and it feels great.
Laura, great ah, ha! Reframing the mindset is a gift we can give ourselves and as you experience, makes a difference. That is wonderful you worry less and enjoy more! Keep on keeping on! Cheers!
BTW: The more I allow myself to be in the world but not of it, engaging only in the things that enable me to feel good, the better the outcome of what my intentions are. True happiness is not co-dependent on anyone or anything else. Finding miracles in the small things opens up the energies for larger experiences. Have you noticed that?
I agree with Susan. Being on the back nine is an eye opener. It is like you wake up one day and understand life. I live my life as it comes embracing the moment and the journey
Exactly, Larry!
I’m grateful to be in good health, have a way to earn a few bucks from home, and live in an environment I never even dreamed of. The health is part luck (good genes) and part deliberately doing what I can to stay this way. The earnings also allow me to stay mentally sharp and give me many ways to help others, which helps my heart.
The environment was a result of my guardian angel pushing me, prodding me, head-slapping me to think of buying a summer house that due to how much it needed fixing up, ended up being my only house! Right above the bay. Sunsets that dazzle. 60-second walk to the beach.
Saying I’m grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Gratitude matters, Susan – and you are an inspiration to us all!
Susan, you are very fortunate for your good health and being guided to such a great location to settle. BTW: whenever I have done a future self visualization/meditation I always see myself in a cute cottage on the beach. I have long grey hair, sitting on a beach rocking chair overlooking the ocean, very much at peace. I hold this vision and the energy that goes along with it in my heart, at least it tells me all is okay – whether it becomes reality or not.
Larry, yes it seems we wake up one day and say “ahhhh” now I get it! But as they say, it is the journey not necessarily the destination. Embracing the moment is one of the most valuable keys, but sometimes the most difficult. I know you are setting yourself up to enjoy the last leg of your jouney!! BTW: my son lives in Raleigh, works at Duke University. I’ll have to make sure to let you know when I go visit him, would be great to meet in person some day. Not sure when you will officially be settled in NC, keep me posted.
And this one sings to me, Eileen! Being on the back nine (as they say in golf), I’m aware of where I’ve been and how I’ve gotten to this marvelous place! I live a life by design, knowing how my decisions will shape my future and those of others whom I’m lucky enough to meet.
Susan, that is great! Living life by design….awesome! In this statement you have discovered your blueprint, thereby building your living structure with mindfulness thinking/decision making knowing this is what shapes your future. Being an example for others and sharing what you know is a blessing for those who cross your path! Kudos!! Keep on keeping on…. Cheers!
Well said Susan
Eileen, a well thought analogy indeed!
I feel that ineptitude is mellowed by experience. And, experience that is internalized often accompanies age (there may be exceptions to this certainly). Wisdom is the characteristic of age. Contrarily, intelligence is all brain’s intellect.
Keep Shining …
Rajat,
Thank you! I believe there is a difference between intelligence and wisdom. The intellect may not be attuned to the wisdom gained, one may need to find a way to move past the head mind and into the heart mind. Otherwise, the ineptitude may not be superseded by experience and instead keeps one in a repeated cycle. The internalization helps to age with grace rather than regret, would have/could have/should have and second guessing choices.
In the end, whatever we have given our attention to will show up as the life we have created for ourselves. 9 lives an all….
Cheers!
Eileen