We are always up early, mine Mommy having coffee, reading the Washington Post on her phone, me having my breakfast, then usually sitting under her chair cause she likes that my tail brushes across her feetz. This morning tho, she was talking, out loud ~ and a lot, l thought maybe I should listen, so I sat in the other chair and paid attention, well, a little bit.
In my years here, I've learned lots of words ~ I know "paws down", and of course, "no, no". I really like "good girl" and think I don't hear that often enough, but I digressed, meaning to say all of this talking she was doing, she was kinda sorta reading to me something she said was impawtent from whatever she was reading in her WAPO story ... I'll let her speak, OK? Meowz.
Junie, it's all about a mind reset, something that takes humans awhile to do, but can be done. This, from "I have to ~ to ~ I get to." Usually, I'd think, "I have to clean your litter box", my mind reacting with some stress, some anxiety to get a chore done. But, if I can work to begin thinking "I get to clean your litter box", my mind will begin to see this as a privilege, a good thing because I'm caring for another little being important to me. Instead of thinking "I have to design posters for our drama group this week", change the thought process to "I get to design posters," because I know it's a fun group to be part of and all enjoy being together. Apply "get to" instead of "have to" to so many things ... such a simple thing. Do you have to vacuum, no, you could let it go ... if you get to vacuum, your home is refreshingly clean and you feel better.
And just one more ~ passing by the stranger on the street or in the market? Do you look down, in this fractious world of today? Consider thinking, the mind reset, "I get to", I get to look up and smile or nod. You don't have to, but it isn't so hard to do. Endorphins will flood the brain, those feel good chemicals. The stranger may or may not return your smile, your nod. But if they do, for that one second in time you each "get to feel good" and two worlds have become a better place.
Well, mine Mommy, I didn't understand all your words,
but I kinda sorta think I understood a few.
So, do I get to have a treat now?
We'll work on this together, dear,
you may not fully understand yet,
purrhaps a treat later.
Primary colors: red, yellow, blue. GREEN? Maybe it's PowerAde, Kool-Aid ... Yellow + Blue = Green, or did all those folks over the weekend mistake it for one big porta-potty ...
ReplyDeletePositive thinking to replace negative thinking can do a world of good. It is not always easy but hopefully you and your mom can feel better with her new thinking work.
ReplyDeleteI love that perspective...a wonderful way to view life. Thanks for reminding us a simple change can mean so much for everyone.
ReplyDeleteBeing positive is not always easy but it's a good thing and a smile says so much to so many!
ReplyDeleteLulu: "Everyone has been saying that instead of hydrogen peroxide or bleach they should have dumped Brawndo in the reflecting pool. I do not know what Brawndo is but for some reason our Dada finds that suggestion sad and hilarious in equal measure."
ReplyDeleteoh dee mum gitz it. plus she made some chores more enjoyable and/or less physically painful for being old and stuffz. she sitz on a wooden stool when she scoops and cleans around my laydeez room and she wearz wireless bloo-toof headfones while running dee vacoom monster and listens to music from dee innerwebs radio station or other musik from dee pooter and dances sometimes depending on watz playing and ebery morning afur dee shower she says her gratitoodz while making breakie and she also practices TM and meditates twice a day, and yoo must prioritize yourself!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a good way to frame things. Challenging at times, though. It often feels like a nonstop stream of stress.
ReplyDeleteThe sludge in the Reflecting Pool in DC is a perfect metaphor.
Aww Juney you look gorgeous there. I am like your mum, I need my morning coffee too. Did you just hear "meow meow meow". Totally agree with your mum on the smile at a stranger. It's free and it passes on :-D
ReplyDeleteJune, as your mine Mommy says it's "such a simple thing"... but so big for me. I am always listening and looking out for ways to curb my anxiety and this is something I know that would help me. Our words trigger so many reactions. In the past I always said I was "worried" about, well, a bazillion things but I started substituting "concerned." It helped! Now... I have to go make lunch—I "get" to go make lunch 🙂 June, thanks to you and your mine Mommy.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting stuff, June!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it.
I saw a meme that had The Creature from The Black Lagoon in the biliously green reflecting pool...hahahaha!
June after years of working with a delightful group of international students I learned one thing.
ReplyDeleteEnglish is very hard to learn...one page you learn a word and on the next page there is an exception.
I'd stick to Felinese if I were you
Hugs Cecilia
juney chowder…yur mom getz two diz cover bear reed treazure with each scoop in de litterz bix…her will be
ReplyDeletesir prized at de art peacez in ther 😸‼️💚🐾
That's a great philosophy, June. I'll have to get my mom to live by that and hopefully give me more treats as a result.
ReplyDelete