Learn from the cat's freedom

　　A friend told me about the differences between dogs and cats, which was very interesting.

　　My friend said that in people's minds, both dogs and cats are playful animals, but there are actually big differences between them. To see these differences, you need to leave them alone. You'll find that dogs appear very reserved, forlorn, and even blank when alone; cats are different. Even if there's no other living creature around, they'll be engrossed in playing with a ball of yarn or a leaf blowing in the wind. When even those things are gone, they'll still play with a part of their own body, such as their tail, front paws, hind paws, or ears, and they'll be curious about their reflection in the mirror. They play so carefree and oblivious to everything else.

　　"I have a dog and a cat at home, but many times when I open the door, I see the dog sleeping lazily on the floor, while the cat is playing happily,"

　　my friend lamented. "The cat has learned to be a free and unrestrained animal, while the dog has never learned that."

　　My friend further explained, "Because dogs have a motivation: they like to be appreciated for their performance. They only play to their heart's content when others recognize and praise them. In other words, they treat games and play as something they deliberately do. How can they be at ease in this way? Because they don't understand the true meaning of ease."

　　"Cats are different. Whether anyone is watching them or not, they are always aware of their own existence. Their play and enjoyment are pure. They don't care about others' approval or envy. They don't play for show or try to please others. They actually dislike crowded places, and if there's too much control or domination, they might even run away. They don't deliberately choose the time, place, or other conditions for play; they play when they want and have fun when they want, purely for freedom and enjoyment. They know what they truly like and what they truly need. Even when alone in a small corner, they know that the joy of living is something they absolutely cannot give up. Being aware of their own existence and maintaining a simple relationship with everything around them, cats live more freely and comfortably than dogs, while also bringing joy to those who happen to encounter or see them."

　　I feel my friend is talking not only about the personalities of cats and dogs, but also about a human attitude towards life. My friend wants me to learn from the cat's "freedom of mind" to live a more carefree and happier life.