Connection like security has different meanings and context.
We all strive to stay connected to our family and friends. There’s also community, church, school, those we work with and other connections we all have that are important to us.
Sometimes finding and prioritizing beneficial connections can be elusive. The more we find things or people aren’t authentically aligned with what we want and value, the less satisfied we become.
It takes trial and error, succeeding, failing, trying new things, exploring new areas, learning something new, letting go of old ways, when new ones present themselves.
We learn how to connect the dots in a positive, multifaceted way. If we spend less than we earn, we save money that can be invested to grow with compounding interest building financial security. Or we connect the dots in a superficial, one-dimensional way by comparing ourselves to a friend or neighbor who has a very showy lifestyle assuming they must be rich and happy. But that’s only connecting the dots on one level, the one aspect you see. What you don’t see is the massive amount of debt they have, that expensive things don’t actually make them happy because their personal connections aren’t rewarding.
Our economy, the manner in which we make, buy and sell things, is built on competition, not cooperation. As a consequence, we connect money with consumption and isolation instead of connection and shared purpose. To circumvent this, we build teams within companies to work together toward the shared purpose or mission of the company. We also create groups and events within our communities to build connections that strengthen and improve those communities.
Connecting the dots is a way to bring pieces of information, experiences and ideas together in a meaningful way. We do it to solve problems, to discover new things and to have fun (an escape room, treasure hunt).
What we often don’t do is disconnect the dots. New ideas, new things, new ways, new places, new experiences, new people present themselves, but we hold onto previously connected dots. About a year ago, we had to disconnect the dots both literally and figuratively.
We got Taos, on the left of the featured image, first after several years of having no pets. He was a little over 1 year old, so not a kitten. Our first pair of cats was a mom and one of her kittens that showed up at our house in Virginia not long after we moved in. We gave several away and, unfortunately, a few didn’t survive the country road we lived on.
Taos would cry every morning as we left the house now in California standing on his two back paws to peer through the beveled glass on the door. So, we got him a playmate, Zia, on the right. They bonded quickly and got along famously living happily ever after until we upended their lives and moved them to Illinois.
At first it seemed fine in a new house with many more windows, a new environment, new climate and new wildlife. But then we started noticing signs of discontentment, not obvious and still far from connecting new dots. Eventually, we couldn’t ignore the signs as much as we wished the problem would sort itself out and go away. It was the worst when and after we traveled. We don’t know what set Zia off to attack Taos (very large dogs that used to live in the house, more windows, more wildlife) but it happened several times with each one growing more concerning.
It came to a point where we had to keep them separate to keep them alive. We sought solutions with vets, professionals at shelters, breeders, books, online and even Facebook communities. After trying many things and suggestions, we even considered rehoming Zia until my husband had an idea. We had doors put in for one to live upstairs and one downstairs since this house had more room. And they have never been happier.
What surprised me is that some people weren’t helpful at all for a variety of reasons. I had to disconnect from them, especially the Facebook groups. In connecting new dots, however, I found an Ocicat Facebook group that is an amazingly supportive global community.
Sometimes we have to disconnect the dots before we can connect the dots in a new way. If we think connecting the dots is hard, disconnecting them is the real challenge but one that is not insurmountable. We also disconnect from people sometimes intentionally but often times unintentionally as we move on or away. There are times when reconnection is possible.
I first posted this in Your Best Investment. I’m connecting the dots for you on this one because I didn’t even realize it until I wrote this. It will now become part of The Cache.
Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time
carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration Time
Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor
each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has
to offer and to celebrate the joy of every day. Security
The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that
life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal Connection
connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s
sweetest creation. Reward
-Papyrus
We will likely never get another photo similar to the featured one. Sometimes we let them sniff noses with the door a jar, but it usually ends with Taos putting his paw on Zia’s forehead and pushing him back in as his way of saying you need to stay in there.
Taos plays with his sushi for hours on end in our basement by himself. He brings it up every morning to play fetch.
Zia asks why his tummy is not being scratched. It’s a daily expectation.