Late Spring 2009 Dear Friends I've just returned from several hours at the Humane Society, where I try to volunteer every weekend that I'm in town. As usual, chores await me here at home, and a chunk of time has been taken out of the day, but there is nothing quite like the way I feel while I'm there, being a 'Dog Buddy' to the motley collection of canines. The sense of having given of myself far outweighs the downside of having offered up a few hours that I sometimes feel I really don't have enough of to give. I've volunteered in a few other situations in my day, and I've learned that when I find the right niche for me, it's hard to stay away. It's as if I am compelled to show up not so much for those who will benefit from my being there, but to answer a need in my own heart and soul. I often tell people I do this more for myself than for the dogs, but I know that’s not the whole truth. I do it because I am advocating for those with no voice. I do it because I believe it is important for me to do more than simply take up space on this planet without trying to brighten that space a little. I do it because I believe not only that giving is just as important as receiving (which I've done plenty of in my life), but because giving enriches me. Truth be told, giving makes me feel good. It aces just about anything I can think of. And that's the need in my heart and soul that volunteering answers. With every passing day, there is a growing need, no matter where you look, for people to give of themselves. Not just because other humans, animals, and the environment need our caring, but because giving makes us different. It makes us move beyond our own often-lopsided self-absorption; it asks us to prioritize in a way that answers to our higher selves; it softens us; it makes us more compassionate; it allows us to occupy a place in this amazing country on this precious planet in a way that shows that we know how blessed we truly are. It's still a new year, with potential we don't even grasp yet. My hope is that we all find a way to give of ourselves and realize how healing and fulfilling that giving can be. Other Issues: Early Summer 2013 -- Slow Down Enough to Smile Late Spring 2013 -- Recognizing Gifts Spring 2013 -- Doing the Best We Can Early Spring 2013 -- Know Where You're Going Holiday 2012 -- Our Power to Adapt Fall 2012 -- Gratitude for What We Have Early Fall 2012 -- See the Beauty in Front of Us Late Summer 2012 -- Modify So It Works for You Summer 2012 -- Finding Balance Early Summer 2012 -- Go Ahead and Take that Risk! Late Spring 2012 - Trusting Your Gut Spring 2012 - Living Life to the Fullest Early Spring 2012 - New Year, No Excuses Winter 2011 - A Thoughtful Tip Holiday 2011 - How Did I Get Here? Fall 2011 - Giving Thanks for What We Already Have Late Summer 2011 - Taking Ourselves Off Automatic Midsummer 2011 - Friends Through Thick and Thin Early Summer 2011 - The Power of Nice Late Spring 2011 - The Gifts of Spring Spring 2011 - Worst Case Scenario Early Spring 2011 - Break Away From the Herd Winter 2010 - Lessons From Feral Kitty Holiday 2010 - The Art of Imperfection Fall 2010 - When the Student is Ready... Late Summer 2010 - Saddle Up Midsummer 2010 - Hurry Up and Wait Early Summer 2010 - Don't Just Stand There. Do Something! Late Spring 2010 - Gifts From My Mother Spring 2010 - Taking That First Step Early Spring 2010 - I Think it's Time Winter 2009 - Choose Love, Not Fear Holiday 2009 - Paying it Forward Fall 2009 - You're Not Alone Late Summer 2009 - "Searching" for Peace Midsummer 2009 Early Summer 2009 Spring 2009 Early Spring 2009 Winter 2008 Holiday 2008 Fall 2008 Late Summer 2008 Midsummer 2008 Early Summer 2008 Late Spring 2008 Spring 2008 Early Spring 2008 Winter 2007 Holiday 2007 Fall 2007 Late Summer 2007 Midsummer 2007 Early Summer 2007 Late Spring 2007 Spring 2007 Early Spring 2007 Winter 2006 Holiday 2006 Fall 2006 Late Summer 2006 Midsummer 2006 Early Summer 2006 Late Spring 2006 Spring 2006 Early Spring 2006

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