I love cat memes. Seriously, I do. And not just because I’m pushing crazy cat lady status now that cats outnumber people around here. I think cat memes may be saving the internet from imploding and protecting us from our baser natures.

Why? 

Well, there are times in life when you desperately, frantically want to say something.

Like to that Facebook friend who posted THAT political rant. Or the other one who supports THAT cause—really don’t they know better? Or when the kids’ school asks you to attend the 97th unnecessary meeting. Or your teenager goes out dressed in …WHAT? Or you see someone who should know better justifying a convenient decision that you know is going to go sideways.

You know the feeling. Your head is about to explode. Your chest goes all tight, and it’s hard to breathe. Your hands itch to hit the keyboard. And if those words don’t make it out of your mouth, you might just choke.

Yeah, that feeling.

Great fun.

I’ve been living with that feeling a lot these days. Seems like every time I turn on social media, I get that feeling. Takes reading maybe three posts until I hit something I can’t scroll through fast enough.

Standing in line at the grocery, trying not to listen to the conversations there, I’m biting my tongue so hard I think I’m going to die.

So many things I want to say.

So many things I know.

So much wisdom to impart.

… And so little real good in saying any of it.

Nope.

Not much at all.

Pretty much none.

Thumper’s Rule

It’s hard to think of any time I’ve accomplished anything positive by opening my mouth when I so desperately wanted to.

Honestly, I can’t think of one. Mostly, it’s gotten me in big trouble.

So, I go back to what I know works. Thumper’s Rule. ‘If you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all.’

Some days I’m sure it’s going to kill me. It would be so satisfying to shake a little sense into people.

But people don’t like to be shaken.

Better take a deep breath, focus on what I like about that person, and leave those thoughts unsaid. Maybe sometimes I need some distance from that person, or even people in general. Maybe I need to remember my thoughts are no more (or less) valid than theirs.

Often, I need to keep my eyes on the big picture. Usually, my relationship with said frustrating person is a lot more important than any of those things I’m dying to say.

And that’s why the internet needs cats… cats with thumbs. Seriously, who can resist a sweet kitty pic, especially of an extra-special cat? It’s a nice, safe thing to discuss when everything else seems like a bad idea.

There’s a reason why cat memes are so popular–and important. I think there are days they keep the internet from totally melting down.

On that note, I invite you to make the acquaintance of Son the Third’s cat! He has thumbs, and extra toes (the cat, not the son). We haven’t been able to count them all yet. Let him give you a smile and prevent the internet from imploding for one more day.