Showing posts with label Minerva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minerva. Show all posts

Friday, December 28, 2018

Maintaining Focus: Things That Matter to Me

2 December 2018

I find myself somewhat bored as I'm trying to watch less TV and waste less of my time and attention multi-focusing on several activities all at once, not really enjoying or being engaged with any one thing I am doing. I'm trying not to split my attention like that anymore. At any given time, I'm listening to music or watching a YouTube video with my headphones on, eating, checking my emails and non-existent messages, trying to organize the house, mindlessly petting my kitty, and attempting to spend quality time with the person I love most—plus being impacted by anything else that is going on in the background environment.

I’m becoming more successful at minimizing the number of things I am doing, yet I find that I don't know what to do with that intentional space I’ve created. What is worth doing just that one thing, with nothing else diluting my attention? Not the things that I was doing—or at least not in the way I was doing them.

A moment ago, I lit a couple of candles, put a crackling fire on the TV (someday I'll have a real fire) and some music, and started dancing and playing with my cat, Minerva. Even all of this can be quite stimulating, but that is all I was doing. I'm over here playing with Minerva and dancing in this cozy environment, instead of lying down with my abdomen scrunched up, my neck pushed against the wall very uncomfortably at an angle, and my bloodshot eyes staring at the little screen that is always way too close to my face. What I am doing now feels good; it feels meaningful and intentional.

Being able to write about this process allows me to reflect on how it impacts me in the moment, as well as the lingering effects it has on my well-being. While I hope that someone else can find some inspiration and value in my tales about this beautiful life I am creating for myself, I know that at least I find value in writing and sharing my story regardless of how many people are following my journey. Nonetheless, I do wish to share my appreciation for those of you who take time out of your day to peruse my blog. By doing so, you help me live more intentionally and feel connected to empowered people who are on their own path to living meaningfully.


Sunday, December 2, 2018

The Huntress

Written 12/2/2018

She blinks casually as if she is solely something to be loved and not feared.
She twists her head around—again, ever-so casually—
Taking in her environment,
Making note of the obstacles and interesting movements around her.
That twinkle in her eye tells me she is alert and waiting,
Ready at exactly the right moment to swiftly swat her paw and snap her jaw,
Claws and teeth extended for the kill.

Thankfully, her prey is an inanimate object;
Otherwise, its heart would be pounding loud enough for her to hear each terrified pulse,
Knowing its life is ending very soon.
In reality it is a set of feathers attached to a string and stick.
The yellow, red, and orange colors glide through the air as I tempt the huntress with its nonchalant, bouncing flight.
I am more than ready to counteract her strike to make the game difficult enough to still be fun.
But I have to say that even in my observation and anticipation
She wins every time, even if it takes an extra pounce or two.

She wiggles her rear and leaps full speed toward the toy birdie,
Chasing after it for a whole second and a half before pretending to devour it,
Using her mouth and all four legs as she lies on her back, fluffy underside facing the ceiling.
Then, as quickly as it happened,
She declares this play session over,
Indicating this to me by aggressively grooming her coat.

Just a moment later,
She looks deep into my soul with that killer twinkle in her eye,
And her gaze softens.
She blinks casually,
Lays her chin down on the soft mattress,
And closes her eyes as she flips her head upside down.

I reach out and lovingly rub her neck, thinking:
Thank goodness I’m not a bird.

Minerva: December 2018


Starting strong: 1 December 2018

Starting strong: 1 December 2018

Starting strong: 1 December 2018

Minerva: Portraits

Taken 1 December 2018 by Francesca Stoker-Crutchfield





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