I have three cats:

Milu, a male is the oldest. Squeaky is a female manx rescue cat who’s been with us almost five years. Our newest edition is also a female, Kiki (A Somali) who is less than a year old and showed up at our door a few weeks ago.

Miles is mellow. He was brought home by me at 6 weeks of age. Squeaky is a rather small cat with a personality that fills up a room fast! She is possessive and quite prone to instantaneous 180 degree emotional change!

So here comes Kiki, who although young, is already twice as big as Squeaky.

Both of these cats had to fend for themselves before they came to live with my wife, Gwen, and I so I allow for their proclivity toward self preservation. It’s just that Squeaky goes to an extreme!

I’ve never seen so much energy expended on trying to remain aloof and in control! Even when she’s not in “attack mode” she lets her constant disapproval of the new cat be known in her every action.

This reminds me of certain people I’ve met through the years.

The ones who spend more time attempting to maintain an “image” or “attitude” that is obviously an act. These are the people who are so insecure about themselves that they adopt affectations in the way they dress and talk that is supposed to make them stand apart from the crowd.

What a waste of energy!

Like with my cat, Squeaky, I find myself also amazed at the lengths some people go to in order to assert themselves in ways nobody cares about! Except that is, their peers who are also wasting time and energy attempting to do the same thing.

I can understand a cat putting on an act. I find it laughable when I see an adult posturing and made up to be something that has little or no basis in the truth of who that person really is.

I know a lot of Artists.

The serious ones tend to create a lifestyle that supports their passion. They dress and act in accordance with what is most efficient. Their personal style is nothing more that what makes sense. They are not imitating anyone. They are just being who they are. This is why they can pull off their quirky and unique lifestyle choices.

A lifestyle and the personal culture it represents is not something you buy “off the rack” and wear… It is something that comes from inside yourself. Your lifestyle is an expression of who you are and what you aspire to. It’s not an act. You can’t make yourself appear to be different than what naturally resonates as your “vibe”. Clothes, make up and slang will never change your vibe.

Unlike Squeaky… my cat, Milu has the vibe of confidence!

He observes the fracas taking place between the other cats and never joins in ...And poor Squeaky is still trapped in her act after all these years.

-Bob Baran