doc w/ Pen

This morning, my dad’s cat Regina reminded me how important it is to just be.

I had the most incredible experience this morning. It didn’t involve leaving the house. It didn’t cost anything. I didn’t even have to change out of my pajamas. For an entire hour, I sat on the couch petting my dad’s cat Regina.

My dad’s two cats are friendly, and love attention. But neither has ever sat still that long for me. So the encounter itself was a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising, though, was how amazing it felt just to be for that time. Just to exist in the moment.

I don’t often take the time for anything like that. It always seems like there is so much to do. If I’m not doing something, anything, then surely I’m falling behind. But maybe the sense of peace I got from this simple 60 minutes is a lesson to me. A lesson that no matter how much is going on, taking even a few minutes to ground myself, for serenity’s sake, is worth it. I think this is especially important as I approach my Step 1 study period and my clerkships. During both of these experiences, I’m bound to feel more harried than ever. Which means I’m bound to need a moment of tranquility more than ever.

If only I had a purring, furry friend like Regina who could remind me of that every day. I’ll just have to remind myself.