Sunday 6 April 2014

testin' the waters

You ever wonder why some peeps do the things they do?  Personally, I wonder about peeps all the time.  I really do.  Yet no matter how much I wonder, sometimes I still can't figure 'em out.

For example, what would you do if you came across a big ol' puddle in the middle of the road?  Would you jump right in and splash about like a toddler in new wellingtons or would you walk around it?  I know what I would do.  I would walk around it 'cause you know... I don't like gettin' my paws wet. Scratch that.  First of all, I would have a sip or two of that puddle water as puddle water is oh-so-delicious and then I would walk around it.

But what if you couldn't walk around it?  What if that big ol' puddle was in front of you, blockin' your path.  You couldn't go to the right of it nor could you go to the left and yet, you had to cross that puddle and get to the other side.  If you were a bird or a superpeep, you could fly over it.  If you were a kangaroo, I suppose you could jump over it.  But if you're a mere mortal of a peep or a cat, you're gonna have to walk right on through it.

So do you jump right in, never givin' a second thought as to how deep the puddle might be or if there are treacherous currents that might carry you away?  Or do you gently ease in one paw and then another, testing the waters as you go?  Bein' a sensible cat, I would choose the latter.  Only makes sense, if you ask me.

But I have come to the conclusion that there are peeps out there who are simply not sensible.  Not sensible at all.  There are peeps out there who, instead of goin' easy and testin' the puddle water before them, would rather jump right in without givin' any thought as to into what they're jumpin'. MOUSES!

As you all know, there are a lot of us cats in the blogosphere who do charitable work.  We help raise either awareness or funds or even both for causes near and dear to our hearts.  Day after day after day we plod on, doin' the deeds our hearts tell us we must do.  Comes with the territory, you see. Comes with the territory of havin' a heart in good workin' order.  Those healthy hearts make us keep on helpin' those in need.

Of course, no one cat can do it all by himself.  Try as we might, we always need help.  Even with nine lives, a cat is still mortal.  It doesn't matter how popular one is on the blogosphere or how many pals one has, assistance is always required.  ALWAYS.  The more cats and peeps who help out, the easier the workload becomes for everyone involved, you see.  Only makes sense.  Right?  Right.

Most of the time, when cats and peeps encounter a cause they wish to help, they do the sensible thing and ease in gently, testin' those waters before them.  They take the time to see who is doin' what and how best they might fit in.  Most of the time, cats and peeps enter the cause seamlessly, fittin' right in and lendin' a helpin' paw where needed.  It's a beautiful sight to see. A beautiful thing to watch when happenin'.  Simply beautiful.

Unfortunately, every now and then a peep will forget to exercise the sense and reason that we cats all instinctively know we must show.  Instead of easin' in, these peeps take a runnin' leap and jump right into the middle of that big ol' puddle before them.  They land with a big ol' thud, splashin' puddle water over themselves along with everyone else around them.  And quite often, there is mud and the bottom of that puddle and some of that mud gets splashed and flung about, too.

The landings of these peeps aren't usually the best and they slip and slide on the wet, slippery mud. They stumble about until eventually, they fall.  Yup, they fall flat on their tails or at least where their tails would be if they were cats, if you know what I mean.

Of course, if these peeps had tails, their balance would be considerably better and they'd be less likely to fall but they'd also be less likely to fall had they eased their way in like a sensible cat would have done.  But I digress.  MOUSES!

Back to the jumpin'.  This reckless jumpin' into the middle of puddles is an awful sight and causes nothin' but trouble and a big ol' mess, if you ask me.  I have been witness to such events and still cringe when I see 'em happenin'.  Sometimes, I even shed a tear or two.  Or three.  Or more.  I am especially likely to shed tears if I happen to be standin' too close to the puddle and some of that puddle water and mud gets splashed upon my very own fur.  Believe you me, no one likes a paw full of mud flung at 'em.  No one at all.  Not even me.

It is unreasonable to believe that we always know best.  It is unreasonable to believe that we always know better.  It is unreasonable to believe that we're always the smartest cat in the room.  It is simply unreasonable.

Now I am the very first cat to admit that when somethin' isn't workin', that somethin' should be changed.  To continue doin' the same ol' thing over and over and over again without any good results is a foolish act, for sure.  Some might even call it, crazy.

But on the other paw, when good results are bein' produced, there's no reason to stick your paws in there, trying to re-invent the wheel.  What do you wanna do?  Turn it into a triangle?  MOUSES!

When things are showin' progress, you want to help where help is needed.  You do not want to stick your paws in and mess everybody about.  When you stick your paws in, stirrin' up a storm and then walk away, all you do is cause trouble and hurt.

Sometimes things are done in a particular way because experience has shown the peeps doin' those things that the things they're doin', work.  These peeps didn't just wake up one mornin' and arbitrarily decide that that is how things would be.  Not at all.  Rather, over time they discovered what did and did not work.  Over time they found their groove.  They found their way.

It is unreasonable to believe that one can jump right into the middle of a puddle without knowin' all there is to know about said puddle and yet still know more than the cats and peeps who have been wading through that puddle for, in some cases, years.  It is unreasonable to believe that within a week or two, one will understand so much more than those who have had the experience of time spent in the puddle.

The damage that can be caused by such unreasonable and reckless acts is immense.  The cats and peeps who have been wadin' through that puddle for the longest are sometimes barely hangin' on.  They're doin' what they're doin' because their hearts tell them they must even though they face disappointment and heartbreak, daily.  Havin' someone jump into their midst, splashin' puddle water and slingin' mud at them might be more than their hearts can take.  All that puddle water and mud might just be the final straw.  The tipping point where they decide to leave the puddle, forever.

And what will happen then?  Who will help those in need when those who have been helpin' the longest, leave?  Will the peeps who jumped into the puddle without thinking take over from them?  Not likely.  In every case of such behaviour that I have witnessed, the peeps who stirred up the puddle, left almost as quickly as they came.  Sometimes even faster and NEVER givin' a second thought to the mess they left behind.

36 comments:

  1. Well said. We're very cautious before jumping in that puddle.

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  2. Us bunnies are to Nissy my friend,xx Speedy

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  3. We love puddles but these don't sound like puddles we should jump into.

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  4. I love you, Nissy,You are a very wise wonderful cat.Everybody should read yor blog ,maybe the world would be a safer,happier place.Keep up the good work.Lots of love to you your peeps and your feline family.XXX

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  5. It's good to know what you are getting into when you are getting into the puddle. You make good point Nerissa.

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  6. Ah!! We think our human forgot to sign us in before we commented on your post! She is just that careless. But we wanted to say that you make good point: some people should know what they are getting into before they get into the puddle.

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  7. Never trust a puddle, it could be a pond in disguise.

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  8. Oh Nissy dat wud be pawful if somepawdy jumped into da middle of dat puddle and gots you all splashed and muddy. But your true pals know you and wud neva splash you wif mud. We test da watta too, or maybe take a sip, or better, throw nip toys in it to float around. MOL. You da best and bewe wise kitteh. *High Paw*

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  9. Indeed you are wise pal. Sometimes it isn't water in that puddle and it really gets messy then. Some puddles are best left unstirred. Bravo, another brilliant post!

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  10. Those darn puddles!!!!!! Although I must admit, they can be fun to play in, you make very good points Nissy!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  11. Yep, you should definitely look before you leap, Nissy. Some peeps need to learn this.

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  12. Very well said, Nissy! Caution is often advisable...

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  13. I hate puddles, totally! Humans are always jumping where they don't belong.

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  14. If only people were more like us animals!

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  15. Yes - it's always good to do full research and get informed before diving in!!

    Wishing you all a happy Monday!! Take care
    x

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  16. Wise words as always my dear friend Nissy.....it's best to be cautious when it comes to puddles of ALL kinds...and that goes for our peeps and ourselves!

    Hugs, Sammy

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  17. Yup gotta be careful of those puddles, that is for sure. All very well said. And especially the part about those humans that try to help all the homeless animals. That is a good puddle to jump into. There are tons of good people on the blogosphere. Take care.

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  18. Very true Nissy...people sometimes forget to stop look listen...then cross the road...ahhh peeps when will we learn...to channel our inner animal :) hugs Fozziemum

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  19. Wow Nerissa, have you had a camera at my house over the last month or so. I have had just sort of the same episode happen here. I think with a happy ending to my knowledge and I am NOT leaving the puddle. Gonna play in it some with the new knowledge I now have. Some of us are just tooo stubborn to give up doing what we love to do best. May peace be with you my friend.

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  20. You got that right, Nissy, great post!

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  21. We hope for positive outcomes. April puddles brings May flowers?

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  22. Oh Nissy we think you are brilliant!

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  23. Yes, the world would be a far different place if only the humans would emulate things like our puddle skills.

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  24. Well Nissy I hope who ever meddled did not do too much damage and that those that were there weathered the storm. Good luck to all.
    Marty

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  25. Unfortunately some peeps like to hear themselves talk, and just don't listen...
    You tell 'em Nissy.
    xxoo

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  26. Uh-oh, Nissy! This doesn't sound good at all. Did something happen or are you just ranting about how impulsive humans can be? We hope everything is all right over there.

    Purrs,
    Carmine, Milita, and Jewel

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  27. You are a very wise cat Nessy. My Nat à Chat said that you are wise beyond your years.
    I think it’s more that, we cats, tends to be wiser than humans!
    Ronrons,
    Hisia

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  28. Very wise post. It sure looks like a good and fun puddle, but it's always better to test it and carefully try it before jumping in.

    Happy Tuesday Nerissa!

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  29. Very wise post. I agree with you, it might look like a good and fun puddle but we always have to test it carefully before jumping in.

    Happy Tuesday Nerissa!

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  30. Our admiration for YOU is huge Nissy you tell it like it is and that matters! Thank you, and I hope we measure the depth of our own puddles. Life is a challenge sometimes isn't it?

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  31. testing puddles is important. Some of them are just TOO DEEP! - Crepes.

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  32. umm...Nissy...pal...buddy...uhhhhh...you OK buddy? Someone clearly made more than just a few ripples in one of your fave mud puddles. Hope they did some smoothin' over before you pushed them under that puddle water and held them there...bwaahahahha..just kiddin'

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I love hearin' from my pals. I really, REALLY do. PURRS.