When I got up for work the other morning, there was an incredibly loud cricket that was chirping somewhere in the kitchen. When I turned on the lights, he stopped briefly and then started chirping again. I figured I’d search around for him so I could move him out of the kitchen (and out of the house). He stopped his “singing” as soon as I started walking across the kitchen floor, but as I got closer to the sink, he chirped again, so I could tell he was somewhere to the left of the sink, hidden somewhere in all the stuff on the counter. I figured it was going to be an extensive hunt. I lifted a crumpled paper towel first, since that was the easiest place to look. To my surprise, there was a tiny little cricket there – no longer than my pinkie nail. I have no idea how that little fella could chirp so loudly! As soon as I turned over the paper towel, that cheerful little guy crawled right onto my hand as if to say, “Good morning! You’re here! I was waiting for you!” I carefully transported the little fella out the kitchen door and released him onto the deck… though I did it by kinda shaking my hand, giving him what was probably an unexpected and crazy ride down. I felt a little bad after that since he was acting just so proud of his “singing” and seemed so happy to see me.
Obviously insects don’t have emotions like we do, nor do they have any sort of bond to humans. Regardless of these facts, that little cricket’s behavior gave the appearance of demonstrating these qualities, so in my mind, I “anthropomorphized” him in my imagination. Picturing that little critter in this way changed my attitude from being annoyed at having to search for a loud bug to being joyful instead. In a way, this event anchored my day, giving me something fun to think about throughout the day.
I find it interesting that such a silly little thing could have such a positive impact. I am glad that I was able to find joy in that moment.