Dear Friend of Tux,
This season, Tux and I encourage you to set a daily intention.
Spring in Ringoes, NJ can be a wild rollercoaster ride of weather patterns. We have days with clear blue skies and warm breezes, followed closely by gray clouds and chilling wind gusts. You can sit outside in the sunshine and get sunburned and then need three layers of clothing the next day.
Indoors at Tabby’s Place this May, there is yet another interesting environmental pattern as some rooms and cat suites are toasty warm while others are quite cold. The community room that Tux calls home is one of the areas that has been extra warm this month.
There is a reason for this. Tabby’s Place is having its original HVAC system replaced, so the community room is currently without centralized heat and air conditioning. There is an elevated fan set up for warm and sunny days and a portable radiator for the cold snaps.
There are two different ways to weather daily variability in one’s life.
The first is to continually voice your annoyance on the off chance that someone else can (and will) actually do something about your inconvenience. This approach frequently raises the levels of unrest (and stress) for everyone.
The second approach is to just weather the storm, whatever it may be, with a demeanor of acceptance and an appreciation for the day that simply is.
It seems that Tux’s roommate, Sandy, has embraced this particular season with the first approach.
Sandy is an elderly black-and-white kitty, like Tux, but that is where the similarities end. Sandy doesn’t hide her feelings. When she wants your attention, she asks for it while winding between your legs. If you pay her the wrong sort of attention, she will vocally reprimand you. If another cat crosses her path or even looks at her, she will produce a low growl of discontent. All of this is done while she remains in constant motion until the time comes when she finds a solitary spot where she can rest. We all adore Sandy, but she is a grumpy cat.
Tux embodies the second approach each and every day. He doesn’t complain. He lets others speak their mind and go about their days without voicing judgment. If his current napping spot isn’t quite right, he silently moves to find another.
It seems to me that Tux is a master at setting his intention and following it through. “I will embrace the day and face its challenges with strength and kindness.”
When you became Tux’s dear sponsor, you set your own intention to be there to support him (and his many feline friends) through all the variability that may come his way. Thank you for your unwavering love and kindness!
Tux and I encourage you to set your own intention to embrace the season (with all its variability), knowing that we are cheering you on with love each and every day!
Your correspondent,
Lisa