Plethora of Everything

From time to time I've been called (to my face) a 'do-gooder.'  I've heard things like, "Oh, you're one of those ," or "So you're a tree-hugger, crazy animal person, etc.' Dozens of people have said these things to me over the years. Maybe you've heard similar comments a time or two yourself. When I hear these words from someone's mouth I'm always a bit taken aback, surprised and caught off guard. Why am I so shocked to hear these comments? What's the big deal? Perhaps I find it offensive when someone treats issues I view as important, even fundamental to life as we know it, as if they're silly or meaningless. I guess this shocks me and catches me completely off guard every  time it happens. Maybe I'm so taken aback when these terms are used because they reveal a complete void, a complete lack of empathy on the other person's side. And I don't mean empathy for me, I mean empathy relating to the issues, ...

I have a bed to lay my head revelation I have a home to call my own revelation I have a man that doesn't roam revelation I have good health, that's better than wealth revelation I have a bird that constantly talks but doesn't know a word revelation I have a cat that a car hasn't made go splat revelation I have a vision, a seed of faith that keeps me safe revelation I have a car that takes me near and far revelation I have a job that sometimes makes me sob revelation I have a family that's always there for me revelation I have stuff to eat, that keeps me on beat revelation I have rhythm for when I get the blues revelation I have 4 dogs; they're softer and sweeter than frogs revelation I have hundreds of simple reasons to say the word revelation and had this revelation without even having to take a vacation. :)

Written 11-10, at night, on paper, with a pen: I miss my old neighborhood. I miss siting outside, taking in the charismatic, ever-fresh air and energy of SoBe. I feel resentful and angry at myself for moving. Why did I 'make myself' move? Why did I force myself away from a place I loved, overall, and knew I loved? Why do I deny myself happiness? Why can't I better embrace my new neighborhood? Why can't I appreciate it more? My inner child is screaming out, rebelling. Does this moving experience remind me of that far-off, seemingly forgotten time... from the formative years, ages 11-13, I live in a neighborhood I absolutely adored.  In the Highlands, Louisville, KY., I could walk or ride my bike everywhere. There were interesting , local shops by the dozen, colorful people, unique restaurants on every block, a nice park 2 blocks from home, pretty, historical architecture and lovely, enormous trees. All my best friends lived within a 2 mile radius, it was g...

1.) The atypical pink-colored clay sidewalks in residential areas 2.) The old, original mailboxes that stand in place, next to their modern counterparts 3.) The wild, tropical flowers and bushes that grow in abundance... especially the tiny orange ones and the large pink ones that close at sunset... and the pale yellow ones that thrive in the shade 4.)The trees, especially on Meridian and at Flamingo Park, whose roots artistically crawl, twist and turn with vitality you can feel 5.) The world's largest collection of  Streamline Modern Art Deco Architecture which occasionally prompts the feeling you've been jolted into another era 6.) The fact that this unparalleled 30's-era-architecture was saved from destruction  by a woman , Barbara Capitman 7.) The community cats, their ear tips, the fact that they will eat anything and follow certain locals who feed them by the herd 8.) There's always a place to stand in the shade 9.) No matter what time of day or night, the...

Some will relate to this. Some will not. As Adoption Coordinator at Miami's municipal animal shelter it often seems important messages I try to relay are falling on deaf ears. They are. Daily I encounter people turning in their pets because, "they're moving, they've had a new baby, they've lost their job, the pet was never really theirs and they were just watching it- for a few months or years, and so on and so on." Time and time again I respond saying things such as, "Your pet should be a part of your family. A pet is not disposable, it's a living, breathing,sentient being. This should be your absolute last option. Have you weighed your other options? I moved here from Kentucky and brought my 2 dogs, cat and bird along with me- moving is not a reason to surrender a pet, and so on and so forth." Time and time again I hear great ideas from shelter volunteers. They say things like, "Why doesn't the shelter do follow up calls for adopte...

Sometimes I get home from work stressed out, angry and tired. Sometimes on days like that I wish I could just be 'left alone.' It's because I'm grumpy, I know it and don't want to share that kind of energy with my partner. I'm ashamed to act like an asshole with him when he has nothing to do with my bad day or personal problems. Most days are happy ones for us, thank God and thank us for making them that way but naturally there are rough times as there are for anyone in a serious relationship. A couple of weeks ago I was really struggling with something and did not want to be around my partner at all. I just felt better when he wasn't around... luckily this feeling only lasted for a few days off and on and I was able to do some serious self-work and work through this. It's scary when we feel badly towards our partners or ourselves. At times it seems our feelings and emotions take on a life of their own and are running the show all on their own (espec...

As human beings at times we struggle, stress and worry about how to achieve things, many things. Some may be as simple as, "How will I find time to go to the grocery tonight; I have to work late but really need food!" Others issues may be more complex like, "I need to find a new job but where do I begin? I don't have any skills needed to do what I want" or "I'm tired of being alone. I'm anxious and worried I'll never meet the right person, and what if when I do meet the person I push him/her away because of my own issues?" If you're plagued with some worry please be reminded: All is as it should be in the Natural World . The natural world refers to the one not burdened by our own feelings, thoughts, worries, insecurities and fears. The world outside.The world outside ourselves is very therapeutic. When your mind is heavy with thought, worry or insecurity please go sit or stand outside and do this meditation/visualization: Try to ...