Yesterday I kept having the weirdest issue with going to get the mail. I’d think, “Oh, I should go get the mail,” and then some Obi-Wan Kenobi voice would pipe up and say, “This is not the mail you’re looking for.” Or something like that. At any rate, I kept putting off going to the mailbox.
Finally, late last night I decided it was time to get the mail (our mailbox is down the street at the intersection, not too far, but I have to walk past the neighbor’s yard). With no objections from the peanut gallery, I set out.
As I was walking past our neighbor’s yard, I heard a kitten screaming. Cats scream a lot around here, but I was worried because the neighbors have dogs. Little yippy dogs, but still dogs. I thought it might be our cat Marissa, who has decided lately that she will be living outside even though she seems to have no hunting skills and is really hungry when she finally gets around to coming home.
So I called her name several times, just in case, though I really didn’t think she would be in the neighbor’s yard. It was pitch black, but the screaming got closer and closer, so I waited around at the fence. Finally, a little white kitten emerged from the darkness. She tried to get to me through the fence, but it’s that special wired kind so small animals can’t get out. I reached over (the fence is only maybe 4 feet high) and scooped her up. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a cat run over to someone and get picked up. Instead of freaking out, she nuzzled up on me and started purring.
This cat is nothing more than skin and bones. She doesn’t have any issues except that she’s starving. I don’t think she would have made it two or three more days. So I brought her home, and my husband was a bit surprised. At first he thought something had happened to Marissa, and then he realized it was a whole other kitten.
Now, the part about living in the present moment (eventually I get around to my point). My only thought was that this kitten was starving and going to die and she needed some food. My husband, though concerned, started talking about if we move in a couple of months, and trying to figure out where we could live with 2 dogs and now 3 cats. While I understand his concerns, I really wasn’t paying that much attention. That stuff is in the future. I hadn’t even thought far enough ahead about whether or not we’ll keep this kitten. I figure if we do, a place will open up where we can have whatever animals we want. At any rate, that’s in the future, so why worry about it?
This caused a little bit of strain for my husband, I believe. But I went to bed and petted the kitten and slept very, very well.
What would you do differently if you weren’t so worried about the future and possible outcomes?
Comments
6 responses to “Living in the Present Moment”
When i keep reminding myself that NOW is all I have then life works. Problems are in the past or me injecting them into an imaginary future. Okay. it is all imaginary EXCEPT this moment. Long-winded way of saying, in the present I experience no struggle.
My only problem is that I categorize kittens (and cats) in the same box as rats and squirrels. Critters that habituate certain environments that may be cute (or not), but have no value to me in the long or short run. I tried to envision your tale with a different animal- and my only thoughts were “to whom does this animal belong?” and “who is the proper owner?”
As such, I might have fed the critter, but would probably be posting pictures of it at my coffee shop, the two grocery stores, and the covered bridge down the block announcing the finding of an animal.
Regarding the large principal, the one to which I believe you were alluding, this is exactly why I am a strong proponent of plans. We know where we are going. We know there will be diversions and distractions. Given that this distraction presented itself, we can properly evaluate if it will be a diversion from our path, an enhancement to our journey, or an impediment to progress. And, then respond appropriately.
I agree that the kitten may have a home already, if so should she be there if starving, or if lost why haven’t they posted pictures in appropriate places. I do a little of the living on the edge, spontaneity is good for the soul I believe. Plans are all well and good, I agree with that too, but if you don’t at times go with the flow you can miss the true adventure and laughter in life. Goodness knows I love an adventure. Sticking too firmly to your plans is in my opinion not always the best way to go.
Oh, without a doubt I would have scooped up that kitten and given her all the love that I could muster just like you did without one reservation for the future. The future usually works itself out one way or another….
Your kitten is darling!
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