Mose is a tuxedo cat who my wife and I rescued when we lived in Atlanta before moving to Brooklyn six years ago. When we get stressed out, we have a simple mantra: “Be like Mose.” Perhaps some of the photos below will convey his happy innocence that we try to emulate.
Miao Miao offers the following strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1) Get plenty of sun while staying indoors. And take a nap.
2) Practice meditation and mindfulness. And take a nap.
3) Keep your body limber with a daily stretch and exercise routine. And take a nap.
4) No matter where you might be or what might be going on, reserve time for yourself. And take a nap.
According to Miao Miao, you can’t go wrong by taking a nap!
Because Yufang and I were unable to attend the wedding of friends in Taiwan, we made this short, silly video eight years ago for them. Looking back, the video reminds us of happier times before we had to stay at home to protect ourselves and others, and it resonates with the desire most of us have to remain connected with those we care about despite the distances involved. Today, I imagine folks are making their own silly videos to relieve anxiety and connect with their loved ones.
In the video, our faithful robot, Robie Sr., and our loyal cat, Miao Miao, help us deliver a message of good luck to our dear friends.
Since parts of the video are in Mandarin Chinese, this is a rough translation:
Robot: “Miao Miao, you must give this secret message to Jason and Yufang. You are our only hope.”
Miao Miao: Nods in agreement, takes the message, and carries it to Jason and Yufang.
Jason and Yufang: “We wish our friends Iris and Raymond the very best of luck and a thousand years of happiness!”
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