The next bit of translation from fairytale to academia is the Cat’s first piece of dialogue which - delivered in a nonchalance manner chosen by the Cat - reveals his desire not to die (or experience any other kind of “finality”), his compassion for his master in a time of fear and worry, and the makings of a planning by getting the basics out of the way. 

The key to viewing failure as an option is to bear in mind the difference between that which is possible and that which is probable; choices. A possible outcome is just one of one of any number of outcomes deriving from choices yet to be made. A probable outcomes is an outcome toward which you are already headed due to choices already made. 

When we embrace failure as an option we not only view it as a possibility that can be avoided, but we also lift its veil of grand finality by holding in our minds the knowledge that even after we “fail” there are more choices to be made and chances to be had. This brings us to the issue of decision fatigue - or ego depletion - wherein just thinking about the infinite puzzle pieces of possibility can so exhaust us that we are deterred from even trying. This, in turn, shows us that the probable makes for a great aid to the possible.

Every move we make is a decision made is a little more of our creative fire spent. By simplifying certain parts of our daily routine we can free up headspace and mental energy for more important things. Having a life uniform and planning meals for the week are just two examples that can make a difference.

The next bit of translation will cover that part of the story where the Miller’s son looks back on his experiential knowledge of the cat to decide whether to give him the boots, the process of looking back to make decisions moving forward. We’ll also start in on the working’s of Master Cat plan to manifest the Marquis de Carabas.

As a side note, I figured out why this translation is taking me longer than anticipated (a single task will fill the entirety of the time you give yourself to perform said task) and am simplifying my own routine in order to move things along (have you heard of TimeTimers, because they’re pretty great).