Marlow's Musings 4/6/25
Insights, adventures and fun stuff from this week.
Audio narration by David Marlow
My daughter had many stuffed animals growing up. In her eyes, these weren’t just toys but friends with feelings and personalities. Because they were ‘real’ to her, we couldn't possibly give them away or throw them out.
She took some with her when she got married though many remained at our house. I’ll call out one in particular—Cat Bear, the orange stuffed animal in the picture above. He was so named because while clearly a bear, his ears resembled those of a cat.
My oldest grandchild, ‘E’ loved Cat Bear and with his aunt’s permission played carefully with him on his visits. Eventually, Helaina gave Cat Bear to ‘E’ for his very own.
When ‘E’s’ sister ‘C’ came along we thought she needed one. Boundary issues with young kids and all.
The company had quit making them by this time but my wife was able to locate an unused purple one on eBay. This went to Miss ‘C.’
She named her P-Cat because she is purple.
P-Cat goes on many adventures as you can see from the picture of her going down the slide.
There's a moment with P-Cat and 4-year-old 'C' that I'll never forget. She wanted to toss P-Cat and have me catch her. ‘C’ has a tender heart and as she was about to toss P-Cat she realized the poor stuffed animal might be frightened of such an activity.
She stopped mid-toss, gathered P-Cat in her arms, and said lovingly, “It’ll be okay P-Cat. Be happy and brave, like me!”
Then tossed the bear as hard and high as her older brother would have done. What struck me wasn't just her words but her actions. She didn't avoid the toss because it might be scary.
She acknowledged the fear, offered comfort, and proceeded anyway. Time and again, I've watched her face life with that same spirit—happy and brave.
I think she’s on to something for all of us.
This past week the stock market tanked. The Russian/Ukraine war grinds on with little progress toward peace, and headlines offer plenty of reasons for fear and worry.
It would be easy to surrender to anxiety about things we cannot control. Instead, I invite you to follow a four-year-old's wisdom—acknowledge the fears, offer yourself some reassurance, and proceed anyway. Be happy and brave like me and ‘C.’
And P-Cat of course.
Word of the Week
Doughty (adj.)
/ˈdoudē/
1: Marked by fearless resolution; brave, valiant
2: Possessing stouthearted courage with tenacious endurance
From Old English dohtig meaning "valiant, strong, worthy," this archaic word carries the weight of centuries in its meaning. Unlike modern terms for courage, doughty speaks to a particular kind of resolute bravery—one that combines unwavering determination with hardy resilience.
Doughtiness stands apart from flashy heroics. It represents steadfast courage that endures rather than momentary bravery that flares and fades. It appears in the knight who continues the quest despite countless setbacks.
In case you missed it…
This week’s Ikigai Thoughts for Today…
The first: Lots of Thoughts
I've recently had the pleasure of being a guest on two fantastic podcasts. What I liked most about both of these conversations was we went well beyond the high-level concepts and got to talk about how people can apply the learning to their lives.
Lots of things you can easily apply to living out your purpose today.
The second: Who were you before?
People often ask me to help them 'find' their Ikigai.
That's not how it works. As Emily McDowell said, "You aren't a ten-dollar bill in last winter's coat pocket."
You aren't lost where you need to be found. The real you, your true self, and essence are right here.
Ikiquest+
This week’s Coffee Contemplation…It Goes On
I share a thought from Robert Frost that I've been pondering myself, and, as I've been doing lately this was a real-time reflection. I don't have the answers as much as I want to give you something to think about along with me.
Ikiquest+ subscribers can listen to this in audio narration or read the transcription.
If you aren’t yet an Ikiquest+ Subscriber, give it a try for free by clicking the box here.
Comment of the Week:
I’m sharing two, the first from Gloria…
When you are watching a really scary movie and then there is a funny moment that makes you laugh and relieves the tension. That is you, every day in my newsfeed.
The second is from Crystal…
My Mom is in her last days on earth and your posts everyday bring a smile to my face. Thank you!
This is why I write. 🙏🏻
Quote I’m Pondering
This thought is from J.R.R. Tolkien1…
"For myself, I find I become less cynical rather than more—remembering my own sins and follies; and realize that men's hearts are not often as bad as their acts, and very seldom as bad as their words."
Final Thoughts
The late great singer Larry Norman wrote the song ‘Reader’s Digest’ for his 1972 album Only Visiting This Planet.2
Though not officially the title track, this song captures the album's broader message. In it, Norman laments the problems of his day and ends with an observation and acknowledgment that feels fitting for this week as well.
You think it's such a sad thing when you see a fallen king Then you find out they're only princes to begin with And everybody has to choose whether they will win or lose Follow God or sing the blues, and who they're gonna sin with What a mess the world is in, I wonder who began it Don't ask me, I'm only visiting this planet This world is not my home I'm just passing through
Be happy and brave…
Quest Well.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Humphrey Carpenter and Christopher Tolkien (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981), 239.
Larry Norman, Only Visiting This Planet,© & ℗ MGM Records, 1972. All rights reserved.
It also reminds me of a metaphysician musing that ✨️breathing is the universe dreaming through us✨️ In other news, your book arrived in the mail the day I got home from my second trip to the ER this year & it felt like a hug 🥹♾️🙏
Resolute bravery. It has been my experience that the most resilient people are not actually fearless, but they find a way to move ahead in spite of fear. Sometimes, maybe even BECAUSE of it.
It reminds me of a quote attributed to William Barkley. Endurance isn't just bearing down and pushing through something unpleasant -
“It is the spirit which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope. It is the quality which keeps a person on their feet with their face to the wind."