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.

Seriously Hooked

I saw a pregnant woman smoking yesterday. Does that seriously still happen??! Come on people. Times have changed, and now there is a wealth of information about the harmful things that it can do to an unborn child and yet people still do it? I don't understand. I don't care what you do to yourself, but the child has no choice in the matter. It is not my place to tell someone else what to do, but I just find it very old fashioned and ignorant - scratch that - STUPID. What was even more upsetting was that the woman seemed to be trying to hide it like she knew better... I will never understand the hook of a cigarette and for that I am grateful.

Weight Loss

This is probably on a few more minds than my own as summer is right around the corner. I have 3 "tricks" to weight loss that seem to work for me. Ready?

1. Drink more water. When you feel hungry, drink water - sometimes when I think I'm hungry it's actually that I'm thirsty. I think I mistake my thirst for being hungry most of the time and that is why I snack a lot and do not drink enough. Now I know better and keep a large cup of water on my desk and drink when I think I'm hungry. If after I've had a few sips of water and I'm still feeling hungry, then I'll eat something.

2. Sleep. I know... I know... Who has time for that?! Well, I notice that when I am well rested and feeling good that I have way more energy to do my normal activities whereas on the days I don't sleep well I tend to feel more like loafing on the couch in front of the tv. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it's ok loaf on the couch, but not all of the time.

3. And finally, get up and DO something. With my type of work, I sit on my butt ALL DAY so when I go home, I try not to sit down right away - even though mentally I'm tired and feel like I need to sit. I try to play with my dogs or do a load of laundry or take a walk. I set a goal of getting so many things done before I sit down because I know that once I sit... I'm done for.

"The best advice is also taken by the giver" - I just made that up. Note that I am not saying I take my own advice... but I'm sure it would be best if I did...

Connecting the Dots

Sometimes I am so slow... Not sure what is wrong with me, but I just don't put things together. I think it's just that when I start to think about something my mind wanders and I start to think about other things and I never get back to the original subject to fully think it through.

Anyway... Today (after how many years? ) I just learned that people buy Lobsters (to eat) while they are still alive. My family doesn't do it and I think that's the biggest reason I never realized that they can be bought live. But now I totally understand the aquariums of lobsters with the rubber bands on their claws. I always assumed that it was just for show and you pick the one that looks the healthiest or whatever and then they kill it there and you take the carcass home. Well, no, you pick a live one and take a live one home and (I had to ask) you boil it to kill it. If only I was a normal predator who thought there was nothing wrong with this...

Connect the dots... la, la...la,la....