A Sense of Validation by Megan N. 

Inspired by A Sense Of Wonder By John Medina. 

I was sitting in my room at my desk, phone in hand, and a victim of boredom. My door was closed for privacy and my computer was on just in case I felt like going on that instead. I was just about to grab my headphones and start listening to music when I heard the faintest sound from outside my door. The noise was like a whining baby and kept getting louder, which confirmed my suspicion that it was my cat. I placed my headphones down and stared at the door waiting for the cry – which I now knew was an obnoxious meow – to approach it. I heard it right outside my door followed by the familiar sound of paws scratching at my door. I opened it and she ran right past me to leap onto my bed where I spotted a small pom pom ball in her mouth. I thought it was cute how much commotion she was making over a little ball, but at the same time, I found it rather annoying how loud she was about it. I grabbed the pom pom and tossed it ba ck in the hallway where she ran after it and stayed playing with it. I thought she was staying there, so I closed the door and went back to my chair. A second later I heard the same sound of paws at my door and a familiar meow. I really didn’t want to let her back in if she was just going to keep dropping that annoying little pom pom in my room. I let her in once more for her to jump on my bed once more and drop the pom pom and meow at me. I scratched her head and she began purring loudly. I smiled at her, starting to scratch under her chin.

There I was bored out of my mind yet I thought I had any right to criticize my cat who clamored for attention. She brought me her favorite toy even though I considered it insignificant, yet she seemed so happy when I acknowledged her for it. She's just a cat and most likely just wanted me to pet her, but I realized that I shouldn't have judged her for appearing so excited about something I initially thought was dumb. I decided to apply that to real life and appreciate when people are ecstatic about things I may deem insignificant, because they may be significant to whomever they make happy. As silly as it sounds, I took a stand in my cat's shoes and realized validation for the little things is one of the best feelings, and no one should feel insignificant for being happy.