Life Lessons from our Pets
Gentle reminders to slow down, breath deeper, and live with the same presence our animals teach us every day.
Look for the Flowers
Zen Master: Olaf
What you notice grows. Choose the flowers. A reminder to look for what is good, even in small places.
This lesson actually comes from one of my foster kittens, Olaf.
Every so often, I would take him and his litter outside into the protected garden to get some fresh air. Without fail, Olaf would immediately set off on a determined little mission, wobbling straight toward any flower he could find. It was completely adorable. He would become entirely focused, as if the flowers were the most important discovery in the world. After a moment, I would gently guide him back to his siblings, only for him to wander off again in search of another bloom.
As simple as it looked, I found something deeper in that behavior - the message that forms this lesson:
This lesson is about learning to search for what brings you joy. In many ways, we find what we are looking for, whether we realize it or not. When our attention is focused on frustration, stress, or negativity, those things tend to stand out more clearly. They can even feel like they multiply.
But the same is true in the other direction.
When we choose to notice the good, even in small and ordinary places, we begin to see more of it. The world does not necessarily change, but our experience of it does. The flowers were always there. Olaf simply made a point to find them.
That is the heart of this lesson: Focus your attention on what nourishes you. What brings you peace. What makes you feel grounded, even briefly.
I actually had difficulty choosing between two phrases for this lesson - it was either going to be: "Look for the Flowers" or "Focus on the Flowers." Though I personally resonated more strongly to "Focus on...," I chose the gentler version because I felt it more open and accessible to more people. The directive order or perceived directness telling me to do something, is apparently what my brain feels it needs. But either way, the message remains the same.
If you happen to strongly prefer the more direct version, feel free to reach out. I might just send you a Focus on the Flowers sticker, free of charge!
What you focus on shapes what you find.
Take the Lesson With You
Sometimes the brightest moments are waiting just beyond the things that distract us. Our "Look for the Flowers" Life Lessons Cat Sticker features an adorable little tabby kitten pausing to admire the flowers - the beauty around them, serving as a gentle reminder to seek out joy, gratitude, and the small wonders that make life meaningful.
All stickers are shipped direct from our studio with low shipping costs, whether you pick one or a whole pack of sticky paws!
Look for the Flowers - Life Lessons 3" Vinyl Cat Sticker
$3.25