Rule 12 / Pat a cat when you encounter one on the street
Peterson encourages his reader to look for moments of joy amongst the difficulties of life, such as patting a cat. He relates the story of his daughter’s painful struggle with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She was in continual pain for eight years. Fortunately, Peterson was able to finish the chapter with the news that a doctor had been able to relieve her of the constant pain. Yet this experience taught him many things such as life is worth living despite the suffering. He encouraged readers to place a time limit on discussing difficulties and look for those moments of joy. He also discussed how our limitations teach us many things. Without limitations, we wouldn’t experience personal growth, the need for courage and the sense of achievement when we overcome obstacles.
These attitudes are difficult to develop without a relationship with God.
From a Christian perspective, Peterson gives some good practical advice, but not spiritual encouragement or strengthening. Many of the New Testament letters were written to churches that were experiencing persecution and the authors were able to give their readers real encouragement. One of the ways they did this was to write about Jesus’ return, the hope of an eternal future, rewards for faithfulness and the joys of living in God’s forever kingdom. Something Peterson is unable to do.
My final post in this series will be the conclusion, which I will post after my Christmas break on 5th January.
Click for: Peterson’s 11th Rule of Life
