The high road…

Curiosity killed the cat…or so I’ve been told. And I can bet this unfortunate kitty was an insecure and meddlesome cat, the kind of cat that just has to be right in the middle of everything—stirring the proverbial pot and doing everything he or she can to seem important. These cats are demanding and annoying.

Why does everyone always pay attention to these insecure cats? The confident and secure cats just sit back and mind their own business—diligently plodding away, doing their work and enjoying life in general—until rudely disrupted by the incessant yapping and silly, shrilly and bothersome screeches of these catty, insecure felines. These noisy cats throw a fit until everyone is worked into their frenzy—and they're never happy until they get their way, which means that the secure cat is locked up…or at the very least, his or her reputation is in question.

Why does confidence get you a bad rap—or incarcerated inside the misperceptions of other people? People are a lot more like animals than most of us would like to admit. Sometimes this is a good thing, but in this case...not so much.

One friend related a compelling cat story that almost ruined her career. An insecure screeching cat had the ears of the new owners of the business this friend worked for just out of college. This chica—a secure and confident feline—was responsible for all of the marketing materials for a national furniture company. She was also responsible for coordination between the sales force and all of the major clients. She arranged, set-up and ran the six annual trade shows that highlighted new products every year. These shows were held in North Carolina, Texas and California. She worked with production on the samples, purchasing on the price lists, and artists, photographers and printers to prepare all of the collateral materials. She worked longer hours than anyone in the company and was one of the few that had earned a college degree.

When the new owners took over the company they didn’t interview the existing employees, or ask them to prepare job descriptions. They simply sat down with one feline that had a few axes to grind—or catnip to steal—and asked her what each person did. This catty, insecure feline told them that my friend handled the personal finances of the previous owners…and that’s all. Needless to say, as one of the six annual shows quickly approached, they found out differently. My friend saved their biggest selling season that year. She was a secure cat. She patiently waited for the new owners to approach her about the upcoming show. When they ignored her and shunned her requests for a meeting to review her position, she quietly, behind the scenes, performed her regular tasks. The new owners actually sent her a memo relating that they knew what she did, as Maggie the Cat had already told them. A month went by and still no one included her in the usual pre-production meetings vital to the upcoming show. She had even heard a few grumblings that she might be let go. So, she stepped it up a notch and began scheduling, arranging and putting everything together for the tradeshow on her own. She had a few birdie friends that whispered in her ear and let her know what Maggie the Cat had said. Instead of confronting this screeching feline, or engaging in a public “she said-she said,” match, she turned the tables and proved to the new owners that she was indispensable. The proof was in the pudding, or rather the kitty kibble. She took the high road, and was not afraid of falling. She had nine lives and knew that this was just the first of many encounters like this that she would experience in her professional career. She was a young cat, hip cat, smart cat, and pretty darn cute cat. She knew that misperceptions would follow her around until she could earn her bones…and outgrow her youthful appearance.

Later, after the show, when the new owners asked her why she hadn’t spoken up, to dispel the misperception that the catty feline had painted for them, she responded that she didn’t think it was worth it…and that the truth would come out in the end.

This episode took place over 10 years ago. I wonder if this approach would prove as effective today. Personally, I think not. The high road is not on as many maps as it used to be. Some people readily believe one person’s story even though they haven’t heard from the source. They must know that they haven’t got all of the facts. They must know that there is always more than one side to any story. But alas, I fear that our society listens to the loudest voices (or meows) they hear…and certainly the voices (and meows) they hear most often. The secure cats aren’t given the respect, or the credit they deserve. Silence is not as golden as it used to be.

So, I ask you…if one is a secure cat, accustomed to taking the high road, and this cat is not used to dignifying misperceptions and absurdities with a response because to do so would give credence to what the catty insecure felines have to say—should this secure old cat (accustomed in her ways) try to learn new routes and throw away her old maps that do include the high road? Should this kitty bring out her claws and take what she considers the low road?

I ask this because another friend has recently gone through an “insecure feline” episode. Thus far, she has taken what she considers the high road. She’s now thinking of finding a new road...somewhere in the middle. Not the low road of the catty felines, but certainly not the high road that she has traveled most often. Have times changed so much that people can’t see the truth? Or is it that they don’t want the truth? As I talk to this friend, I think of future generations...and how boring their journey will be from down below, on the lower roads.

If we don’t want the truth, what will become of our youth? How can they find the high road if it isn’t on the map? And if they never experience the high road, they may never see the stunning views only visible from up on top—the views that encourage us to come back again and again, no matter how arduous or long the journey may be. Perhaps we should start a petition to take back the high road. We could send the petition to Rand McNally, MapQuest and any other company (or person) that tries to tell us where to go. The problem is—are there enough people that still want to travel on the high road? Are there enough secure cats out there who still know the way to the highways and byways of integrity and character...and can they, or will they, show these kittens the way? Call me an optimist, but I think we have a chance. If enough people—and secure cats—weigh in, perhaps the cat pack will follow—or at least click on the link to the high road of days gone by. It’s our future. It’s their future. It’s worth a try. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll learn by example and incorporate the high road into their lives—all nine lives, I hope.

Disclaimer: I love all cats with four legs.

© 2006 Teresa G. Franta