Put some good out there.

Sailor Gutzler

Earlier this week, a little girl survived a plane crash that killed her parents and other members of her family. This little girl (seven years old) walked through the Kentucky wilderness in very cold temperatures (though she was dressed for warm Florida weather) and found the actual closest possible house, got help and managed to direct rescue workers to the crash site. She did this with a broken wrist and covered in blood from other minor injuries. Her name is Sailor and she is safe and cared for in the custody of her grandmother now.

I am in awe of this little girl: her wits, the survival skills she remembered and her fortitude. If you want to join me in donating to this fund for her, please do. If you have another organization that speaks to you, please give a little to it today. I am reminded that remarkable comes in many shapes, sizes and situations. This is just one of many.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day.

Friday Happies!!

Cute kid!

I'm so glad it's Friday. I hope y'all have a wonderful, fun and relaxing weekend planned. I have to work and attend a 2 hour meeting I am dreading on my day off no less- ick- but I hope to squeeze some fun in there while I'm at it. Well, around here on Fridays I like to curate a list of happy, funny, awesome, inspiring, pretty and just plain interesting things to get you in a super positive mood for your weekend.

*Well I definitely know a handful of people that could benefit from this little gift.

*This made me laugh. And yes, it's quite true.

*This too!

*I'm oddly fascinated by mudras. I've tried them a few times when meditating or stressed out and it seemed to actually work. Perhaps its the accidental hand massage, or perhaps some amazing connection to the brain, but seriously- I've actually noticed an effect!

*Since I've been on this decluttering/organizing/crafting kick, this appeals to me very much. I want to make a version of this myself in harvest colors for Thanksgiving or multiple shades of pink, red, and purple for my birthday (around Valentine's Day). The possibilities are endless, really!

*Are you abibliophobic? I think I may be. Seriously!

*I post this pretty regularly, but if you can take some time every day to have a moment like this to show gratitude for just how miraculously badass your life really is, then it will only get better!

*Ha! This pretty much covers every moment I spent alone as a child.

*Hell yeah. Thank you Netflix. I've been streaming Gilmore Girls nonstop since they made it available. The hubs says "it's just fine", but we both know he really wanted Rory and Jess to end up together in the long run.

*A few more pounds and a few more dollars and this look could be mine. In my head I can totally wear it now, but in reality... a few pushups and sit-ups couldn't hurt the ole girl.

*Is it just me or is this time-traveling Taylor Swift from the 1960's? I saw this online the other day and its weirded me out a little ever since. It totally looks like her!

*Meditation. Yes! Exhale!

I hope y'all have a wonderful, peaceful and completely awesome weekend!

Give a little bit!

Hey y'all! It's Wednesday, and around here on Wednesdays I give a list of organizations, people, animals etc. you can donate to (even just $5 helps!). No act of kindness, no matter how small ever goes unnoticed!

*This is cool! DonorsChoose.org, teachers ask for what the need for their students, your donations get them what they need!

*Help little Diesel get his tests and treatment. Look at that face!!!

*Kiva is an organization that helps give loans to people all over the world to start their own businesses! How neat is that?!

*I've linked to Best Friends before, but it's been a while and I like them. So here it is again!

*Help Mom get to France!

*Give this soap maker a helping hand to get her wares out to her community. They look so nice!

*Help lay to rest a family (one mother and four children) who were killed in a fire. So sad.

*This little guy fell 150 feet down cliff and survived with major injuries. The Oregon Humane Society's Technical Animal Rescue Team hiked for hours to get him safely to surgery (he's doing great- what a tough and brave little guy!). Anything over the costs needed for his surgeries and medicines (already covered) goes to those brave and loving animal lovers that saved his life. Let's help them out!

*Let's give this dance troupe the public dance event they are working toward!

*Direct Relief International provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life to those affected by poverty, illness, catastrophe and war. A frequent high-ranking organization for its quality work.

Give what you can y'all! Every little bit helps!

I truly hope you have a wonderful day!

Give a little bit!

Hey y'all! It's Wednesdays and you know what we do on Wednesdays around here, we spotlight organizations, people, animals, businesses etc. that could you help even by just donating as little as $5. Here we go!

*Help Cash get the medicine he needs! Only $30 away from their goal!

*Rescue an historic home (that looks like a castle!) in Johnson City, TN so it can be turned into a cultural arts center!

*Help support Climate At Your Doorstep, a newsletter/forum dedicated to bringing solid information on climate change.

*Narayanan Krishnan is a remarkable person. Not only did he give up a well-paying hotel career to feed the homeless, mentally ill and abandoned elderly in India; he also bathes, shaves and gives hair cuts and physical contact to those in his society that are actively neglected. What a kind, loving soul. Help keep his organization alive. 

*Help animals around the world!

*Give to the Wildlife Conservation Society and help conserve land, and save animals.

*Help 16 year old's Jake's family with his medical expenses since he became paralyzed from the waist down in an accident.

*Help this nutty redhead get her gourmet praline business (Nutty Redhead) get on the grocery store shelves! Healthy and delicious!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Give a Little Bit!

Greyhound photo by Elke Vogelsang

Hell y'all, it's Wednesday which means another dose of awesome people, animals and other organizations you can contribute to to help make the world a little bit of a better place! Remember, even just $5 can help so much!

*Help make a change in Africa, Asia, and Central America by helping to give clean, fresh drinking water to those in need. 

*While we're at it, let's get our Earth's soil in better shape too! Donate to the Soil Association today!

*Help General get the surgery he needs. He's a good boy and they're so close, only $970 away from their goal! He got 5 of my dollars!

*Best Friend's Animal Society! Help save them all! Love those sweet animal faces!

*I've got animals on the brain today! Help the only no-kill shelter in Tuscon relocate to a better location. 

*Help fund a billboard in England to raise awareness on the lives of racing greyhounds. They're close to their goal!

*Grayling Ceramics Studio is soooooo close to their goal, only $1037 left to go and 10 days left to do it! Give them a helping hand if you can!

*Clorofilia, a magazine of plant and ecology inspired articles and comics by artists and farmers needs your help to be published!

I hope you're inspired to help others today, and I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Little Victories!

A happy place of mine. It's tucked away and I like to read there.

Happy Monday, y'all! I hope you had a great weekend and your week has started back up full of positivity and good intentions. Around here on Mondays I like to celebrate a few small victories in the hopes it will inspire you to take notice of the little things you did that are helping you incrementally toward your goals, happiness and the like! So, without further ado, here's the list!

*I ordered the broccoli. I wanted fries, but I've been craving French fries like crazy for a month and no amount of me ordering it is satiating the craving (so bizarre- and no, I'm not knocked up). However whilst we enjoyed a slap-dash meal at a favorite restaurant this weekend, I ordered the Parmesan broccoli instead. It was delicious and it did make me feel noticeably less guilty/bitchy afterward. Yay for baby trees! That's what I called them when I was a little 'un.

*I said, "I'm great actually." when people asked me how I was doing at work. I felt like rubbish (been fighting a cold thanks to burning the candle at both ends for a few weeks). I could have been grumpy. In all honesty I had to correct myself a few times and remind myself to say I was better than I was. Even though I felt like I had been hit by a truck, I still was doing great. I was in a good mood and I wasn't having difficult customers, everything was going pretty swimmingly. So, to sum that up, I chose the majority good over the one bad. It helped and by the end of the work day I was even beginning to feel a bit better.

*I told someone they were right/had good advice when they were/gave it. Two peoples actually! It's funny and odd to realize how frequently our friends, family, co-workers, spouses, lovers etc. say or do something that is solid and how rarely we tell them that. For reasons of pride or time or whatever excuses we make. But it felt good to say, "That's great advice, so-and-so. I think I may just try that!" and "You know, you are right about that thing we talked about. Thanks for your input, it really helped me with my quandary etc." However you say it, try to acknowledge someone's rightness today. It really surprises them and usually brings a smile to their faces.

What little victories did you have? I'd love to know!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!!

Spread it- the love, I mean!

Chuchi girl was a sweet, sweet girl. Never met a stranger or a frisbee she didn't like. RIP, good girl.

It's Wednesday, y'all. And for those of you who read regularly, it's just our Wednesday karma round-up! I list a handful of people you can donate to (it started with a $5 donation request), and you give to them or to the charities, organizations, people etc. that move you.

Whether or not you have given to any of the organizations, charities and folks I've listed here, there have been some big successes, particularly as of late! Five charities (Turnip the Beet Farms, the Desert Farm Initiative, Semolina Superheroes -smallest American pasta factory, Carly Jacobs doing Silly things for a bus, and the Monarch Butterfly Tagging Project!) we've listed have met major goals and/or been able to fund their projects thanks to people like you!!! Take a moment to let that soak in. Lives have been changed!! Let's give it up for some major successes in the lives of a few, and manifest ways to help so many more!

*Many years ago I had the privilege of falling in love with a pup named Chuchi. She was my best friend. The sweetest pup around; she never hurt a fly. She happened to be a pit bull. I have loved and rescued a few pits in my life. It isn't the breed that is nasty, it's what has happened to them (what people have done to them). I support Tia Torres' rescue center in New Orleans because these animals never asked to be a "bully" breed. In fact, they used to be (and still are) a "nanny" breed. That's right. They were known for their sweet, kind and loving nature with children, with anyone who will love them. Support Villalobos, New Orleans today. In honor of Chuchi and Cannonball Mingus. Two loving and kind pits that have pieces of my heart forever. Bless Tia's heart and the hearts of all those beautiful animals. Truly.


*John Oliver did a great bit on how pageants, such as Miss America, are the largest "providers" of scholarships for women (i.e also shady as hell) and they require their recipients to be unmarried, participate in a swimsuit competition, be the proud owner of a completely pristine uterus and the ability to answer complex socio-political scenarios in only 20 seconds. Here are some other (BETTER) providers of scholarships for women that don't rely on bathing suit bottom adhesives. And don't get me wrong, pageants are what they are. They just shouldn't be the largest "provider" of academic scholarships for women. Ahem. Take some time to check out these sites: Society of Women Engineers, The Patsy Mink Foundation, and The Rankin Foundation. And a tip of the hat to John Oliver for delving so steadfastly into the subject as to enlighten even the (sometimes) laziest of feminists.

*Help retired racing Greyhounds live a fulfilling life filled with love and companionship!

*Save Ace's life. He's a rescue dog, deaf and blind and suffering a neurological disease that causes seizures. Yet somehow he has been able to help a child with autism learn, grow and behave better. Help this animal who was saved by this family who is, in turn, saving his family. Save Ave & his boy.

*Help Sam with the expenses to treat his Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It started out as what seemed like an infection that only needed antibiotics.

*I've said it once (maybe thrice), Find Your Waterkeeper!!!!

I hope y'all all have a truly wonderful day and remember that no act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed.

*Don't forget to say "Rabbit Rabbit" first thing in the morning today! It wishes you good luck throughout the upcoming month. If you forgot, you can always say "Tibbar Tibbar" to reverse the unfortunate juju. Love to all y'all!!!

Friday Happies!

Enormous sunflower at Mom's.

What's up, y'all? Is it just me or have the days and weeks just been flying by? It feels like I just put together a Friday list like two days ago! Wowsers. Well, it's time to get some happy juju flowing to gear up for the weekend.

Got any plans? I've got a few, but they mostly involve...well, I'll guess you'll find out on Monday! Now heeeeere's the list!


*I love this hat for Fall & Winter. I want to wear it and pretend I'm Carmen SanDiego, or some other woman of mystery and intrigue.

*I really enjoyed this young lady's article about Hermione and the need for strong, intelligent female characters in literature (and TV and movies etc. etc.). Well done, you!

*This thought has crossed my mind too.

*I love a tassel. I have a feeling if I owned these, I'd just rub my face on it all the time. Also, nerd-alert...love the name (Potterheads, am I right?).

*I'm fairly certain that this is what I sound like talking about any subject I'm interested in, and all my friends and family are my Bill Cosbys...Cosbies? I'm going with Cosbies.

*Some ABC's for happiness!

*Just makes me smile every time I see it. Shake it!

*I was late to the game to find Kid President, but I just adore him and the message. This one made me  laugh and tear up and feel so inspired and joyous. That means its time to do something!!! What will be your Space Jam?! Just love it. Play ball. 

*Well, this may have been me this week! It may have been, but I've still gotten in nearly seven miles so far!

*How I missed this the first and second time around, I know not. But I literally donkey laughed while washing dishes the other night when it came on. Dickies, yo!

*A great Carol Burnett  show with Betty White (looking damn foxy if I say so), Steve Martin and of course Vicki Lawrence (Thelma Harper woot woot!!).

I hope y'all laugh and smile and have a wonderful weekend, and if you have to work- you can make it through. Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations and it'll be a damn good day (or two in this case).

Later, y'all!

Give A Little Bit!

Image of Apalachicola River Clyde Butcher

It's Wednesday, and on Wednesdays around here I like to take some time to find charities, organizations, and good ole folks to help out. Usually I can spare a fiver here and there and still stay within my budget; but if you feel so inclined, please give more! Several folks featured here in the past have met their goals! It feels so good to give (time, energy and cash if you have it), so let's see the list for this week! Happy giving hearts to you all!

*Help Bryce recover from a devastating fire that wiped out the whole apartment building where she lived.

*ShelterBox helps create temporary shelters in disaster-ridden areas.

*Support the Marine Mammal Center, they help rehabilitate marine life and educate people on the need for ocean stewardship!

*Help Nancy, a woman who has looked out over Klamath National Forrest for years. This year the fires destroyed her home and her trusty old truck.

*Help American Rivers! Help heal our North American waterways!

*Your donation to the World Wildlife Fund can help so much! Be the voice for those who have no voice.


I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Spread the Love

Hey y'all, it's Wednesday. I certainly hope your week is going well. Mine has been spent working, and trying to squeeze in as many workouts as I can (I've got a goal) while ceaselessly shushing my inner desire for a gargantuan glass of wine (or three...what else is new, right?). I also had a moment this week (Tuesday to be precise) in which I found myself so utterly frustrated at something that I could barely focus.

Now, keep in mind, this was a total first world problem; a nothing, a zilch in the grand scheme of things. Problems with an online account. Silly and yet, I found myself so completely pissed off I couldn't focus on a simple 10-minute jog around the lake. I did all I could to remedy the situation, and just stewed in it while I cooked dinner. After about an hour or so, I figured out something unbelievably obvious.

It didn't frickin' matter.

It wouldn't matter today, it won't matter tomorrow and it sure as shit won't matter when I'm ash. So, why is it taking up my precious waking moments? It no longer is. Bada-bing, bada-boom. Done. I fixed it by having the account deleted and moving on to focus on others which is far more important. That brings us to our usual Wednesday love-fest, and here are more deserving people, animals and organizations that need our help. Remember, even if its just five bucks at a time...it can change someone, or some animal's whole world. Be blessed, y'all! Keep the good juju flowing!

*Y'all, my cousin had the weirdest, saddest thing happen to him and his family when a bunch of bats nested in his house. His dog got sick and sadly, died. My cousin began having major problems with his lungs. He and his wife and new baby had to move out and it's been an awful ordeal. If you feel inclined, please give to help them get through this situation. It's heart-wrenching and quite terrifying.

*Help Josh Zandstra become a first generation blueberry farmer!

*Help champion education for children in Ethiopia. Awake & Alive!

*Find and support your local Waterkeeper Alliance! Here's mine!

*Help get Carrotman published! A great little picture book to teach children how not to waste their food. Four days to go!!!

*Give the birds some love and give to the American Bird Conservancy!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!



Image courtesy of Wild Delmarva which benefits the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Saturday Stolen Moment

Happy Saturday, friends! I don't know about y'all, but after a fun night out last night, I need some centering...and waffles. I need...ahem want waffles. Chicken and waffles to be exact! I digress...

Autumn is creeping right up to us, I could feel it on my morning jogs this week and I just love it. It's a magical time of year and I can almost sense nature gearing up for it's farewell for the year. In honor of Summer's adieu and Autumn's approach, and to help bring yourself to a calm and peaceful place (if you feel so inclined), here's today's stolen moment/meditation.

If weather permits, try to get out in it today. I particularly love in-between times like dawn or dusk (and since I was a half hour late posting this this morning, dusk may have to do!). Make sure you are somewhere safe and close your eyes. Listen to the sounds surrounding you. Are there cicadas chirping, or children playing? Whatever noises surround you, let them. Not the specifics as much as the combined symphonic range of the goings-on. Is there anything about it that is essentially indicative of where you live?

Let the sounds of nature wash over you. Breathe in deeply and exhale deeply as many times as feels good to you. After you are comfortable, imagine in your mind one beautiful thing you could do for someone else, or nature today. Pick up some litter, pay for someone's coffee, help a person with a stroller by opening a door or carrying groceries from someone. Spend a little extra Q-time with your spouse, children or pets. Pick something that shows kindness and love and do it. It doesn't have to be grandiose to have an impact.

Send some gratitude out. Not only for the end of a beautiful Summer, or for the ushering in of Autumn; but for your blessings. We all have them. Sometimes it may not feel as such, but we do. In the paraphrased words of Ray Wiley Hubbard, keep your gratitude higher than your expectations and today will be a good day. It's a damn good day, y'all.

I truly hope you have a wonderful day!


*Is this a heron or an egret? I saw it on my jog this morning and I can never tell them apart!

Have a Kind Sunday!!

What beauty will you make with what you have today, friends?

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Love Yo'self!

Hello friends! It is Thursday- this week seems to be flying by! Well, Thursdays around here are all about self-care and self-love. Taking care of our vessels is paramount. I don't know why it is so hard to take care of ourselves sometimes. We go out of our way for others, yet neglect the one person we are on this planet with for our entire lives! It's bananas people! Total nonsense!

So, in honor of a dear friend who needs a good reminder (you know who you are!) and to remind all of us (myself included) that we must care for ourselves well, first and foremost, before we can truly help others (like the oxygen mask situation on a plane). Heeeere we go!

*The 10 things you must tell yourself today. I really like this one!

*I love this! Kindness meditation. It's so simple and even though it's for children, I think we could all take a page from this book and nurture kindness even in the subtlest of ways. Quite frankly I think we could all take some time and relearn the lessons of childhood so we can be better adults.

*I love a list and an infographic too! Five mantras for daily self-love. I felt particularly drawn to the Nourish, Powerful & Worthy ones. Good stuff!

*Self-love is asking yourself what you need- every day- and making sure you receive it. 
Dang! I really like that!!!

*Wow! This mother/daughter Ecard actually moved me. I didn't expect that from what are usually pretty funny, snarky little throwaways. Good on you, whomever made that one! It certainly does ring true, but I think we can dream bigger than just our children (ahem- since mine don't exist yet) and do this for everyone.

*Because PMS is a bitch, and so is menopause and Mondays and traffic and screaming kids and needy people at work and...anyway- a little something something to make you feel gooooooooooood.

And to my dear friend, let me gently remind you- you are capable of training your thoughts to be kinder toward yourself. The steps you take toward breaking unhealthy and dangerous cycles now, will  benefit you so incredibly much more as you get older (take it from me- 30 ain't no joke and neither will  be 40, 50, 60 or 90! But each year gets even more awesome to make up for it!) Every little thing you do to make your body healthy, happy, and balanced (physically, emotionally and spiritually) will only aid you further along in your life. I love you.

And I love all y'all who read P&PPS. Take care of yourselves. I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Spread the Love

Image courtesy of Danielle Laporte.

It's Wednesday! The day we here (we being me!) take some time to send out some good juju by paying it forward just 5 bucks at a time and encourage you to do the same! It feels good to give and ask nothing in return. I found this quote today and it rang a certain truth for me. Perhaps it will for your too! So, without further ado, here are this week's selection of people, places, animals and things needing some karmic love.

*Several weeks ago, I linked to donate to Turnip the Beet Farms so they could build new greenhouses. I was thrilled to see earlier this week that they made their goal! Let's celebrate! Cheers to all the backers and to TtB! I can't wait to see some updates!

*On that note, I'd love to see the Animal Abuse Defense Registration get to their goal. They are less than a month from their end date. I upgraded my donation from last week today. Help them out here!

*Just help. Emergency Veterinary Services. Those sweet animals.

*While we're at it, Critical Care Program Fund for even more sweet animals in need.

*Help Mr. Geason fight cancer. Wow! What a neat man, and so loved by his former students, friends and family! I never had him as a teacher, but I was indeed moved!

*Help assist children with disabilities here.

*First Book. A way to get books to children in need.


I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Friday Happies!

What happens when a dog goes on a Color Run!

Well, friends! How was your week? Aside from work, I spent it trying new recipes left and right with some pretty spectacular results (these fritters for one, are now a new family favorite!). For a few weeks, I've been attempting to shed the lb.'s I had put on since the big depression hit four years ago, and this week, I discovered that I lost 10% of my goal! I'm pretty excited by that, and hopeful by Thanksgiving, I'll be at my goal. Please note that it isn't a "weight" I'm aiming for, but when first starting one needs the tangible proof of progress (it helps me focus until my clothes get looser). Once that happens, no scale for me! I dislike them fervently. But anyway, that is exciting to me.

Let's keep the happies coming, eh? Get our weekends off on the right foot (I actually have a "normal" weekend this week!)! Heeeeeere we go!

*A little post-work yoga for your neck to help you de-stress on this lovely Friday night. I love the music, it's so happy!!

*I really like this idea! Especially for someone going through a particularly rough patch. It sends all kinds of good energy out there.

*This is something I would definitely do. I wonder if it would work...

*Babies Excited to See Their Parents. Aw! The one at 1:16 had me tickled!**

*This chick always impresses me.

*Hahahaha! Spirit animal!

*I'm not a sweatshirt person, but this one made me giggle!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

Spread the Love.

Happy Pig courtesy of nayamina.

Wednesdays are unique. You're half thrilled that the workweek is over, but kind of "blech" that there are still two days left. I feel it is sometimes overlooked as something you have to get through. I don't even have a regular work week yet I always find myself in that funny "Wednesday Place", thinking I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I think Wednesday is a good day to take inventory of your week. See where you may have fallen off the bandwagon and make a few changes to boost your good vibes.

Have you fallen into any negativity traps? Have you had successes?! Either way, use this time to realign yourself on the positivity tracks and/or celebrate your victories. Here are some ways you can put some good out there and help others in need. Remember, every little thing makes a difference, even just $5.

*Turnip the Beet Farm was featured here several weeks ago! They're almost to their goal! Help them out! Yay! That's so exciting!

*Help the residents of Sasha Farm Sanctuary & Safe Haven for Animals! You can even sponsor an animal like Rosie the Emu, Precious the Pig, or Johan the Mule. I think I may just do that. I can't resist those little faces!

*Best Friends Animal Society. A way to save homeless pets. Save them all.  It's a really beautiful organization and, like SASHA, you can sponsor an animal- even ones with special needs. I've been quite moved spending time on their page.

*Help Clinton & George find a home. What strong and resilient boys indeed. Wow.

*Help keep a roof over Kristal's head in Ahoskie, North Carolina.

*One last gift for Nurse Amy.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Every little thing...

Image courtesy of Ocala Style

How is your week going, friends? Need a pick-me-up? Perhaps you are looking for a way to manifest some good in your life? As I mentioned last week, sometimes the best way to do that is by bringing good into someone else's world. Take some time to peruse these organizations and charities. You may find something that speaks to you, or perhaps it will spring something to mind in your own neighborhood that you can help. Remember, even just $5 can make a difference in someone's day and life or the life of an animal. Isn't that wonderful? I think so. I know several of these got my dollars this week!

*Animal Abuse Defense Registry. A way to make sure adopted animals are going to a safe home. I love that idea.

*Help rebuild Broadway Lights Dance Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida. It was nearly destroyed by heavy storms. How can you resist those little ballerina tutus?!

*A way to help "decision-makers" chart recovery in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm a Gulf Coast girl, and the ecosystems here are stunning, however they have suffered so much. This would be a cool way to give back.

*On that note, save our manatees! I love manatees. I want to hug them and if I ever get to be an eccentric billionaire, I will create a huge manatee sanctuary and bob around in the water with them for hours trying to steal hugs from these sweet creatures. I know one is not supposed to harass the wildlife, but they're just so lovely and an important part of their ecosystem. I physically have to hold back the hugs!!

*Help make sure no child goes to bed hungry. A big feat, but a noble one! Feed the children.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Just a little bit!

Image courtesy of Google.

The truth of the matter is, when it comes to giving, the word "only" comes up a lot. I'm only one person or I only have five dollars, it (or I) can't make a difference. But every little thing makes a difference. Even in "slacktivism", my main form of giving. I want to be more involved in organizations I believe in, and I'm getting there. However, my current situation is such that I don't have regular hours or time off, so it's a bit of a challenge to get to a meeting or a clean-up project or a rally. Most likely its a bit of tiredness mixed with a bit of laziness. Like I said, I am working on getting there (it's a personal project!).

Instead of wringing my hands and beating myself up for not being as generous with my time as I'd prefer to be, I donate whenever I can to different organizations, KickStarters and things of the like. Usually it's just five bucks. That's what I can let go of knowing my bank account won't be overdrawn. It isn't a lot, but I know for a fact that it can make a difference to someone in need because I have been in need before.

It is so wonderful to see someone get the care they need, or a bus for their students, or whatever else it is! Five bucks by five bucks I can make a difference in someone else's life. It keeps the good karma and good energies flowing and I need nothing in return. It isn't anything earth-shattering here. I'm not telling you anything you probably didn't already know. But if you are having a bad day, instead of spending that $5 bill on a comfort food or instant fix to try to feel better, trying giving that $5 away to someone who needs it. It's soul food, kiddos and it's oh-so good!

Here are some people or organizations to donate to if you feel so inclined or tell me other ways you give in person or online! I'd love to hear your ideas.

*Seer farms is a cool place. They help people who can't care for their animals (think service men and women or people who have lost their jobs etc.) no matter the timeframe, no matter the animal.

*Desert Farm Initiative. Help squelch a food desert in Baltimore!

*East Nashville Radio, a station that plays real, good music (the stuff you won't find on the typical radio) and has cool music shows every week. It's the brainchild of a guy in Nashville's music business that wanted a gathering place for artists that they could create whatever they want and still get played. I listen to it nearly every day. I love the Whiskey Wednesday show and my husband loves Tommy Womack's show on Fridays. The man who runs ENR, Richard Carpenter, uses the donations to pay for the rites to the artists for their music. Good stuff! (Plus, we love their t-shirts too!) Oh, and p.s. Richard is my dad, and he's awesome. :-)

*Help all kinds of people who have been affected by natural disasters. You can even shop (don't know if that's the right way to say it) by disaster like Colorado Flood, or victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

*Turnip the Beet Farm needs help building two greenhouses! Five bucks for the great name alone!

*Help Dollipop get to Europe to perform! Hell yeah! Love it.

I truly hope you have a wonderful day.