When my kids were little, before they’d go to sleep each night, I’d make them tell me three things that had happened to them during the day that they felt happy about or thankful for. It could be something as simple as seeing a pretty bird, eating chocolate ice cream, or a formation of clouds in the sky.
There were a few reasons for doing this. One, I wanted them to think about the little things we take for granted. Secondly, it’s kind of a retrospective version of stopping and smelling the roses. It feels good to look back and remember little happy moments of the day. Thirdly, it immediately took their minds off of anything that was troubling them, things that might normally churn around in their heads and keep them awake. It’s hard to worry when you’re making yourself think of good stuff.
Last night, as Tom and I were having our pillow talk before we went to sleep, he was talking about the new business he’s trying to start. He was going over the things he had to do the next day, the things he should have done that day, and things that he could be doing better.
“Tell me something wonderful that happened today,” I interrupted. “Anything.”
He thought for a few seconds, then said, “Well, I loved the breakfast you made.”
I told him that there was this great moment when I let the cat outside. It was freezing cold and icy, but Tux just wanted to spend a minute in the fresh air. He scampered across the porch and over to a rectangular box of cacti. I watched as he took a good long stretch, closed his eyes and took in the sunshine. He yawned, then sharpened his claws on the wooden box. It only lasted a few seconds, then he was back inside, but wow– talk about making the most of a few seconds.
Then we went to sleep.
Tags: blog, blog-a-day, blogging, nighttime, sleep
February 26, 2008 at 2:17 am |
One of my daughters was going through a particularl depressing period as a teen and I had her do a similar exercise for a while. I think I made her write them down. Somewhere I wonder if I still have them. I’ll have to look someday when I clean out my garage. Tux sounds like a great cat. He needs a baby lapdog puppy to love.
February 26, 2008 at 2:29 am |
Moonie, this is beautiful! You and Tux had moment there huh?
The converse of this wonderful exercise is the “it could be worse” exercise, also known as “count your blessings”. When you get the teacup pup, Tux will need the “it could be worse” exercise.
You have frozen cacti on your porch? I hope they don’t get stolen like your downspout!
February 26, 2008 at 3:49 am |
@ LM: That’s so sweet! I wish you could find it– it would probably be a wonderful read. I agree about Tux. He’s obviously very lonely for a tiny puppy to bite in the middle of the night!
P.S. Could you check your settings on your email again? One I sent the other day just bounced back.
@ David: We did indeed. We often have moments, when he’s not trying to harm me.
I’m going to have to remember this exercise the next time I’m having a hard time. I’ll just start counting. I have a therapist lined up for Tux.
We do have frozen cacti. The window box is nailed to the side of the porch. Of course, the downspout was nailed to the house.
We also have this metal music stand that I painted in this kind of wild design in the yard. I know that sounds weird, but Tom loves it and likes it there greeting us. It hurts my feelings that no one’s stolen it– it’s really kind of nice.
February 29, 2008 at 1:22 am |
Friggin’ cats! They’re just nutty. Living with humans all these centuries has not really served them all that well, has it?
Those cacti won’t survive being frozen will they?
I’m impressed with you being hurt that nobody’s stolen the music stand. It would seem to indicate an uncanny ability to find the silver lining. I think you would not be happy if somebody DID steal it, but getting reverse pleasure out of someone NOT stealing is very interesting to my pea brain.
February 29, 2008 at 2:02 am |
Today, I was trying to take a nap, and of course Tux hopped into bed with me where he proceeded to lick himself for about an hour straight! This was major slurpage, complete with bed shaking and everything. It was just grossing me out.
The reason for the afternoon nap was because at about six o’clock this morning, I was awakened by a cat standing over me and SNOTTING on my face. Words can’t describe the way this starts my day.
As for the music stand….of course I would be upset if someone actually stole it, but then there’s another part of my pea brain that says, “What’s the matter, metal thieves– my music stand not good enough for you?”
March 1, 2008 at 12:33 am |
Yuk! I do not allow any animals in our bed. I get up earlier and when I leave the bedroom, Oliver jumps up on the bed. My wife doesn’t usually wake up enough to care or do anything about it but if I come back in I tell him to get the fuck off bed in mime. I’ve never had the pleasure of a cat snotting me, though I’ve had a number of drooling cats over the years. I don’t even want to relate the most disgusting cat in bedroom story I can think of cause it’s too gross. Suffice it to say that being awakened by a foul odor is really not fun.
The fucking downspout thieves would probably not know what to do with a music stand. Guess they could make it flat and prepare their crack on it or something.
March 1, 2008 at 2:08 am |
@ David: “I tell him to get the fuck off the bed in mime.” I love it!!!! How do you do that exactly? I’m picturing a Marcel Marceau getup…
I think my worst cat story is the time I lived out in the country and was taking a nap with one of my little ones. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was a dead mouse on my pillow next to head, an offering from our beloved Ivan (RIP), the world’s most obese feline.
Actually, I have a grosser one, now that I think about it, but I’ll spare you.
I think the music stand would make a nifty crack stand. A very classy piece of furniture.