Mood Ring

I'm like a mood ring. Whenever I am near someone (anyone) having a bad day - I start to turn red. Ok, I don't exactly turn red, but I am totally affected by their mood. If someone is sad, I feel sad. Angry, angry. Happy, happy. I don't know that I like being affected like this. I feel like a chameleon. I can't stay happy when I know someone else is sad. And when someone is slamming things around and cursing under their breath it is almost impossible for me to ignore it and keep my cool attitude. Sometimes I feel offended by some one's being angry. It's like they are trying to ruin my day because they are having a bad day. Hmmm... perhaps I just take things too personally.

My dad always says: "You choose your own attitude. Don't let people have your day." That's a tough one for me, but I will keep repeating it to myself when I am in these situations where I am being affected by someone else's mood (a negative one).

I wonder why it is so difficult to transfer a positive mood to others? I try to say positive things and try to offer little things like a piece of chocolate to help brighten their day, but I don't think it works. I'm not a good cheerer uper. I suppose at least I try. And just because it doesn't seem to work, I'm not going to stop because maybe I am making some one's day a little nicer. Maybe.

I Was Wrong

Not often am I wrong... but --- Ha, I kid!

Ok, so I was wrong. A few posts ago I was complaining about a pregnant woman smoking but I have found that there are actually reasons for pregnant women to smoke. I know, sounds crazy right? But it's true. Women who are smokers who become pregnant but are considered high risk pregnancies are told to keep smoking because if they quit, it will be too stressful and they could lose their baby. I guess my stance is, don't smoke in the first place. But yeah, pretty awful that you have a situation like that. I feel bad, but this is just one more reason I hate cigarettes and smoking!

Purpose

So...

I know the purpose of the cement posts are to keep people from crashing into the gas pumps, but I think that their secondary purpose is for people to smack their car doors on them. Thankfully I haven't done this recently but I have done it in the past and enough times to learn never to do it again and I have seen other people do it. Just the other day I was admiring all of the scuff marks on a nice red post. I just think it's sad that those posts are so close to where you open your car door. I would be curious to find out what the statistics are for how many times those are hit by car doors on a daily basis. I'm also wondering why no one has come up with a better solution because from what I can see, these are a problem for most people. Including Tommy Boy!! Hah. Just thought of that. That was great! "What'd you do?"

Volunteer

The message was plain, simple, and clear. Volunteer. I think the message was meant to get people out there to help the needy or those who are less fortunate but here is my take on the message:

It's pretty simple really. Assist people. It doesn't take much to offer someone your assistance. You don't have to be a part of a volunteer group. The person or people don't have to be super needy either. I think that it is a different kind of volunteering. It doesn't take much effort or money. It's the kind of volunteering that if more people did it, well, it could just make the world a slightly happier place. Maybe?

Examples:

person with hands full - open the door for them
person can't reach item on shelf - ask if you can get item for them
hold the door for the person behind you
allow people to merge in front of you in traffic
when someone doesn't have enough to buy something - offer spare change
tell someone when they leave something behind (ie, keys sitting on a counter)
someone trips and falls - offer to help them up!

I really think it's the little things that count when it comes to living in harmony with other people. When I do nice things for other people it makes me happy. In all honesty, I do get upset when other people don't do these things for me, but I realize that I'm not their focus in life. I'm just in their peripheral. And that's ok, but I think that when we start to focus on the people around us (even though they are not our main focus in life) that somehow it helps everyone. When you pay attention to people and what's going on around you, it makes things easier for everyone.

Safety precautions:

Because this world is not always a safe place, be careful when and how you assist people. Be sure it is in a public area. Do not walk up to people's cars when giving directions. Do not open your door to strangers. Do not help people on the side of the road, instead call the police to assist.

Sorry, just felt like doling out advice today, love it or leave it (you better gain way)....

Living In a Van DOWN BY THE RIVER!

Sorry, the title is a Chris Farely throw back. Watch his SNL skits... they are great!

Anyway, I just wanted to give props to Denise Austin today. She is my motivator. She doesn't just get me motivated to exercise, but to eat healthy and try to enjoy life. I don't know how it works for me but it does. She says something and I start thinking, "Ok, you know what, she's right; and I totally want to do what she says; and I like to do what she says." I think it's just her attitude, it's so cool and mellow and it helps me chill out and dig deep to find the strength I need when I am having even the crappiest of days. I love the energy she puts into everything she does and says. I like that she actually takes her own advice and shows you that she's doing it so you can too. So kudos to you Denise Austin. You are one of my top motivators and I want you to know that. Thank you!!

My Ravi

I just found out that he (my rabbit) has a tumor. A cancerous tumor. Once again, cancer sucks!! I was told that they can't operate because it is on his jaw and they would have to take too much of his jaw out. I have to say that I was in a pretty good mood today - being that it's Friday - but right now I feel like crying. I am trying to choke back tears as I write this because I am at work (writing this in between my calls of course). I do not like to be looked at as unprofessional and crying at work (in my opinion) is unprofessional... Ugh. He only has 4-6 weeks left to live. Not good. Not fair. I am going to pray. This time I will not be selfish and pray that my rabbit lives longer. I am afraid he will live in pain. This time I am going to pray that there is something better after. Very unlike me.

I'm sorry Ravi. I'm sorry that I am not able to help you. I'm sorry that I selfishly cannot put you down now for my fear of death and what would happen to you and the possibility that you might have a soul and what will happen to it. I'm sorry I didn't catch the tumor in time. I'm sorry that I didn't let you outside in the sun as much as I should have. I'm so sorry.

You know, I think death is overrated... I need some options here...

Butt Wiping Irrational

My compassion for animals has rendered me just a little bit irrational. It is nothing new, I have always been this way. When it comes to the life of almost any thing, there is no price to me. I have to laugh at myself... I was really upset last night and told my boyfriend that money was just paper and that I could wipe my butt with money. I'm a little embarrassed that I said that; however, I am very distraught over my ailing rabbit. I've had him for about 5 years now and although I am not as attached to him as I was to my previous rabbit or my dog for that matter, I still feel in my heart that I should do everything I possibly can (or possibly can't) for this rabbit in order to prolong his life. I feel responsible for the animals that I take in. And, even though I feel responsible, I understand that spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a rabbit is kind of nuts. What's more nuts is that I would feel the same and want to spend hundreds or thousands on a rat or a frog or even a hamster. Oh and don't even ask about a dog! Oh what do I do? So far, I only have a prognosis and so I will try my best to think rationally when we know exactly what is wrong with my Ravi - that's his name. I got him from a cute little Indian girl and had kept the name she gave him. I asked her his name as I was loading him in my car and she called it to me through thick tears. She didn't want to give him up and I felt really bad for taking him - but her parents thought it was a bit too much responsibility for her at the time. I totally understood the girl's pain and took the rabbits (there are 2) as quickly as possible so that maybe it would have a band-aid type affect...? I am hoping that she is now able to have and care for a rabbit or two. She deserves them. But I also hope that it's a long while before she has to worry about what I'm dealing with right now. It's just so incredibly sad and can make any animal lover down right butt wiping irrational.