Thought #429: What Dasha and Masha Know About Trust and Letting Go

Anyone who lives with two cats gets lessons every day – unasked for and free of charge. Here in Leipzig, two sisters do the teaching: Dasha, the tabby, and Masha, the black cat.

Quiet presence

The two of them don’t have to say anything to be there. Sometimes Masha lies stretched out on the sofa while Dasha is curled up in the armchair next to it – each on her own, and still together. This quiet presence reminds me that closeness doesn’t always need words.

Side-by-side nap: Masha, the black cat, is stretched out on the blue sofa in front of a yellow cushion, while Dasha, the tabby, sleeps curled up in the yellow wingback chair next to it. — Each on her own, and still together: Masha on the sofa, Dasha in the armchair.
Каждая сама по себе – и всё же вместе: Маша на диване, Даша в кресле.

Trust

When a cat curls up next to you and closes her eyes, that’s a big gift. With cats, trust can’t be forced. It grows slowly – through reliability, patience and respecting their boundaries. With people it’s no different.

Letting go

Cats know nothing of artificial urgency. No deadline, no push notification, no “I just need to quickly …”. Whatever doesn’t matter right now, they let go. I juggle texts, appointments and AI every day, and I often watch them with quiet envy.

Masha and Dasha on the back of a red sofa: Masha, the black cat, looks into the camera while Dasha, the tabby, dozes beside her – behind them a print of Hopper’s “Nighthawks”, in front of them Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”. — Between Hopper and Van Gogh: Masha keeps watch, Dasha dozes.
Между Хоппером и Ван Гогом: Маша на посту, Даша дремлет.

Taking breaks on time

Dasha and Masha don’t wait until they’re exhausted. They rest before they need to – and afterwards they’re wide awake and curious again. Maybe that’s the most important lesson: a break isn’t a luxury you first have to earn. It belongs to the day just as much as doing things does.

Which lesson would you like to borrow from a cat today?

🤖 Reflection quiz on Thought #429

Three questions to keep thinking. Choose an answer – you will then get an explanation and a prompt for self-reflection.

What do Masha on the sofa and Dasha in the armchair show about closeness?
A) That cats prefer to be alone.
B) That closeness only comes from constant cuddling.
C) That you always have to be in the same room.
D) That closeness doesn’t always need words – you can be each on your own and still together.
According to Thought #429, how does trust grow – in cats as in people?
A) Through pressure and clear commands.
B) Slowly, through reliability, patience and respect for the other’s boundaries.
C) Through as many presents as possible.
D) It is innate and doesn’t need to grow.
According to the text, what can we learn from Dasha and Masha about breaks?
A) To rest in time, before you’re exhausted – a break isn’t a luxury you first have to earn.
B) To take a break only once all tasks are done.
C) To avoid breaks altogether if possible.
D) To rest only at night.