Don't Put Away the Compassion

Where has all the compassion and pleasantries of human nature gone? I remember the day the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. It seemed during those weeks that followed everyone was so compassionate, so polite to one another -- offering up their seats, holding conversations with perfect strangers about how they were going to be more kind to each other, work on their relationships - get married, etc. And now, I look around and see people shoving each other to get to a seat, no one bothers to say good morning as they plop down to sit next to you or their head is buried in a book or IPod to avoid looking at you. Why is it that only during the immediate hours of a disaster can we be civil and caring? Then afterwards we go back to our old true selves. I think of the people affected by Katrina Hurricane, everyone was so eager to take someone in, to help the families. Where are the Katrina residents now? You don't even hear about the progress in Louisiana. The Haiti earthquake. 24 hour news coverage and now nothing. The people are still there -- trying to survive, and everyone else has resumed their normal lives. Yes, life has to go on even when disaster strikes, but we don't have to forget those who are still left behind. People don't expect or need someone to help them forever, but don’t leave or take away your helping hand because the dust has settled. Remember those who are hurting and in need and try to bring back some genuine compassion and love for your fellow man, every day. Love is contagious.

What Day Is It?

Ever wake up half asleep and drag yourself to the bathroom and throw that water on your face to try and help you wake up and get it together only to stare in the mirror and suddenly say to yourself, "wait a minute - what's today?" And then you realize, its Saturday. What am I doing? So instead of staying up you rush back to the bed to sleep for just an hour or so longer. First of all, if your days are that hectic or wild that you can't tell what day it is then you definitely need to slow things down. More than 70% of us have jobs that seem to require us to always be on the go -- our minds are racing a mile a minute trying to come up with ideas, develop them into a work plan, and then activate and get it into high gear to make it happen with a target date of (like) yesterday! And for what? For that 70%, almost none of us are doing anything that's gonna save the world from hunger, poverty, or the illnesses that plague mankind. Don't get me wrong. Somewhere out there there's somebody working on something that will help solve some of these things, its just not us. But these are the times we live in, where nothing or no one can wait for anything for fear of being left behind. Our competitor might get their first and then what? Sometimes coming in second just might give you the upper edge and produce something of substance and quality. So next time you have to stop and ask yourself what day is it? Your answer should be today is ...the day I take a break to focus on life and all that makes it worthwhile.

Laughter is Good Medicine

We've all heard how laughing is good for your health. It's true. There's nothing better than when my daughter shares some humorous story about something that happened in her day, or turning on the TV to one my favorite sitcoms like Seinfeld or The Office and laughing myself silly over something that's totally ridiculous but oh so real. Not that short giggle type of laugh. No. It's the kind of laughter that gets you going and sometimes brings you to tears and you have to make yourself stop short of rolling on the floor! It could be that I may have had a not so great day at work, but something about getting a really good bout of laughter just makes me feel so good afterwards. All becomes right with the world and whatever transpired during the hours before are tucked away and overshadowed by this momentary outburst which makes everything all right...even if just for a brief moment. Everyone may not be able to find something that brings about this type of laughter all the time, but even if you can manage to find laughter in a small amount, it will not only improve your day, but your health as well.