Sad news last week, my cat died. She lived to a grand old age, had a good life, and it was not unexpected… So, although it was sad, it was more melancholy than tragedy, and she will certainly be remembered fondly.
Now all of this happened just before the long weekend and like many of these things, although they are something you know has happened, life is busy, had just just have to get on with things without thinking about it too much.
This week, however, with festivities over, the schools back, things are slowly returning to a little more routine… and with not working onsite, I have been able to get on with things a little more quietly… whilst working remotely.
Working remotely in my house is not exactly serene, but it is a different pace. I would linked to to working in the school library, rather than that free period in room 3B!… Now I am sure many people preferred the break room or common room, but I was firmly in the library camp (yes, with my little briefcase… lol), not only as I didn’t have to duck to avoid paper-based projectiles, but because I could focus and concentrate.
And, often it is in these moments that you notice things the most. Like today. Today was the day I really noticed the cat was gone.
My normal routine:
- 2 (very) large cups of tea… before a few meetings first thing.
- Around 10:30 – get up and make a fresh coffee…
It was at this point I realised I would normally go to pet the cat and check she is okay (it relaxed me too)… except this time she was, of course, not there.
Now it is only a small thing, and as mentioned, I was not too upset, but it did make me realise how often it is the small things that make you notice change. They can have a disproportionately big impact.
Back in the office… with my coffee… this got me thinking about how important it is to pay attention to other small moments too.
So, it is not necessarily the big wins, grand gestures and shiny things that can have the big impact… the quiet and steady presence, little touches, just being there for folks matter too.
Pound for pound – dollar for dollar, the impact of these can after all be very effective… the challenge… effort is required! As a result, they can be all too easy to put to one side, often only realising when it is too late. Money is, after all is simple if you have it.
So a surprise spring resolution… to try to look after the little things a little more, be there for folks and try to not worry so much about being that quiet(er) presence in the corner.
Welcome back, everyone.
RO-AR insider newsletter
Receive notifications of new RO-AR content notifications: Also subscribe here - unsubscribe anytime
