Today is the 1st Day of the Rest of Your Life

Spread a little love

This morning, feeling a little overwhelmed by so much of what I've heard, seen and read during the past several days, I have a strong desire to spread a little love.

I started looking through past writings of mine, hoping to find something in those long ago thoughts that might contribute to sharing a little joy.

I found one, included below, which was posted November, 2010 on my Facebook page. I think I was, as always, worrying about one thing or another; probably something I'd heard about concerning helpless ones among us. Sometimes, my approach can be unedited, mabye; too harsh; so deeply do I feel about the pain felt by others... our elders, less fortunate, little kids who are abused and neglected and, my dear, beloved animals.

Often, I find myself drowning in the overwhelming truth which is around us all the time. So much suffering; so much neglect; so many in bewildement, disbelief; finding themselves in unfriendly surroundings, handled by uncaring hands. I mourn for them, I cry for them.

So many times, I wish I could just 'snap my fingers' and make it go away. Just like that! One crisp, definitive flick of finger to flesh and...it's done! It's over!...no more suffering; no more harm done by one upon another.

During the weekend, I spent much time reading on Hub Pages. It seems so many of us are going through difficult times....we're hurting over a slight dealt us; we're disillusioned about the state of world affairs; we're heart broken over the cruel treatment of animals; we shed tears as we read of another little one missing; abused.

Our world is in upheaval and tumult. "Wars and rumors or wars..." It is as if we can no longer understand one another; as if we all speak a "foreign language" which no other can understand. Chaos and terror reign. Whole villages, cultures, peoples are being, purposely and systematically, wiped from their homes; ... lives ended.

From the most personal, one on one relationship to a tremendouly expansive swath of this planet; discord; destruction rains down on unsuspecting innocents.

I read daily; newspapers, online media; Facebook and Hub Pages. There seems to be a preponderance of evidence that our fragile society; our delicate hemisphere, our tender earth is about to explode!

Often, I find myself wondering, "why do we spend so much time and effort on trivial, meaningless things? Why do we worry about empty recognition? What little, fleeting 'pleasure' do we receive when touting ourselves? .... WHY can't we find it within ourselves to care a little? Just a little? To give rather than receive? To feel the joy of acting without ego; without expectation of reward?"

My animals. Oh, how I feel I cannot stand it any more. Honestly. My sorrow is deep; inescapable. I am driven to try; to act. I risk losing friends and followers as they, understandably, turn away; avert their eyes... Who wouldn't? I do not blame anyone with a sensitive and soft heart; who cannot look at the reality of what we do to animals. This is my heart. I cannot stop.

Waking in the morning can be joyous or fear filled.

Have you ever felt this way? There has been a lapse in the stream of bad news. I've taken a break from the constant inflow of negative news. I must do this; it is just too much! Days pass, keep busy, be involved. Ride your bike, visit a friend, write something, love the kitties, read that great book you've put off for so long. Take a step out of the 'world' and into peace.

Mornings become welcoming, again. Excitement! Elation! It's a beautiful day! Up and at 'em, do the morning chores, feed the kitties, dust the floor and brew a big, hot, steaming rich cup of fresh coffee!

"Let's have coffee outside this morning; I think the deer are on the lower level! I hear "my" squirrels in the trees...Oh! I forgot to feed them this morning!" Thoughts rush through my mind. Then, scoop up a cup of nuts, seeds, dried fruit for, as my friend Richard says, "the Squirrley Guys."

All's well!

Well, except, this morning is one in which I could use that advice. This morning, I am too wrapped up in the sadness...so, I started looking for my own "words of wisdom..." to be revisited, often;

While sifting through the old writings on Facebook, I found this :

Kathy Novelli

November 17, 2010

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Today is the first day of the rest of your life...do something really meaningful and life changing for someone else as well as yourself. We have many opportunities to do wonderful things...let's start with this day. Save an animal, help a friend, send love to someone who really needs it...make life better for our earthly coinhabitants...animal and human. Bless you

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Taking me from the morose thoughts to a glimpse, a glimmer of hope. "Hope springs eternal." It does!

I want to wish everyone a lovely, love filled day. Please, take a moment to tell a friend, make amends, wave as you pass another, look into their eyes and smile. Give a big, bear hug to that friendly, gentile, elderly gentleman who walks past your house every morning on his daily stroll; I know he'll love it. Call a loved one, parent, brother, sister, friend. Any little gesture of kindness, recognition. Believe me, the smallest of effort pays a hundred fold in the joy it brings to the recipient. "Pay it forward and pay it backyard."

And, do this for me.....consider going to your local shelter today. Think of the sweet kitten or puppy, senior cat or dog...a loyal companion who waits for his family to return; not knowing that they never will. For reasons unknown, an innocent animal was left at the shelter. They need us to save them; they need us to step up to the plate and hit a home run ... save a life today...and, maybe, just maybe; you'll be saving your own, too.

Love, Kathy