Volunteering

   

       For the past 3 years since returning to school, I have had more time to volunteer. Most people who don't volunteer think that volunteer is about helping others. However, those who DO volunteer realize that volunteering is really about helping others and yourself. Serving others is good for your personal growth. It gives you a purpose with meaning that is well beyond making money and accumulating stuff. Personally speaking, helping others in their times of need, reminds me of just how precarious my own existence is. It also makes me more appreciative of my good fortune.
          For my volunteer hours this semester, I worked with a dog rescue called IMPS, which stands for Internet Min-Pin Service. It's a breed specific rescue that takes in abandoned, unwanted, or injured min-pins. There is no physical building or shelter, but numerous volunteers in almost every state and Canada. As a volunteer, I pull dogs from shelters, foster them, work applications for adoption, do Home Visits, take dogs for vetting, and transport them. I have fostered 14 dogs so far and transported numerous others on the road to their new homes. My newest foster is Kiko. She is a sweet 10 year old senior that has had a terrible past. She was originally saved from a hoarding situation. There she had to fight for any scraps of food. She has several scars and a ripped ear to prove it. After that she ended up in a home that kept her crated all day...all the time. Poor Kiko went from years in a crowded prison to years in solitary confinement. When she was finally rescued from her plight, she was adopted out to a nice senior woman and finally seemed to be in the home she deserved. However, within a short time, her new owner became ill and needed surgery. I was asked to doggie-sit Kiko for a short time until the owner could recover.  Unfortunately, the woman's health issues were so severe that she could no longer care for Kiko. So, now I am fostering Kiko and looking for a new perfect home for her.
       Despite her troubles, Kiko is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever known. Sure she shows some signs of abuse, but it doesn't define her. I have learn a lot from fostering dogs. Most give out their love unconditional, even when humans have treated them horribly and forsaken them. They still seek to bond with a person. Kiko is a testament to their strength and capacity for forgiveness and love. Dogs are my heroes! I hope to continue fostering and working with rescues for as long as I possibly can.

What a Show

 

 

    

   This past Saturday December 3rd, I took my hubby to see the annual Christmas Concert put on by the Music Department. It included singers from 6 different ensembles and it was spectacular! The setting was Munsey United Methodist Church in Johnson City, which is a beautiful place. The Christmas decorations adorning the alter and windows made for a cozy festive atmosphere. Before the show began, I was looking at the numerous names on the program and wondering how they would all fit on the stage. However, to my pleasant surprise, most of the singers surrounded the crowd while singing the various songs. It was a brilliant use of space. Also, the crowd was included in the performance through some select favorite carols. I really enjoyed singing and thought it was a brilliant idea as it not only made us feel like part of the show, but it also kept us from getting sleepy during the dark, warm, 2 hour performance. I liked all the songs, but my favorites were the upbeat pieces....Ding-a -Ding-a-Ding by Greyscale and From this House done by all the ensembles. The latter was the coolest number because of the awesome message and the dance accompaniment. I applaud every student singer for the hours upon hours of practice involved in a show of this magnitude. They should be commended for their dedication and stamina. This was the best Christmas performance I have seen in many, many years.

P.S.  I also want to send a loud shout-out to my fellow Midway, Jonna Pickard, who sang beautifully and looked awesome!

        

Just Breathe......the Right Way!

        Last night, I attended Dr. Chris Dula's lecture about managing Anxiety & Stress. This was an hour long lecture that seemed to fly by in just minutes. The fact that the topic was interesting and relevant, coupled with Dr. Dula's  dynamic presentation style, had me wishing it had been longer. This was no small feat considering it was 8p.m. on a Wednesday night following a 3 hour lecture class, a 40 minute drive home afterwards, and a 12 hour day to looking forward to today. If I am being honest, I would have to say that I went into the lecture tired, hungry, and with an attitude akin to Oscar the Grouch. However, after just a few minutes of hearing, "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys during the prelude, my mood improved greatly and I found me feet tapping along to the beat!
         Dr. Dula began by explaining that Anxiety & Stress is an important issue because we all experience it in some way. Most likely, we ourselves or someone close to us is battling with it  right now. It was apparent that Dr. Dula feels very passionate about this is subject . He openly shared about his own struggle with stress headaches and panic attacks as well as the physiologically workings of anxiety. Then, he outlined the ways to combat it. I personally found this to be extremely helpful because my husband and son both suffer from GAD and panic attacks. Unless you have experienced one for yourself or watched a loved one go through it, you have not idea how awful it truly is. An anxiety disorder sucks the joy out of  life and panic attacks rob a person of all dignity and confidence. So, I was very excited to learn anything that might help. 

He offered 3 non-drug approaches to elevate anxiety  symptoms and panic attacks:
1. Progressive Muscle Relaxation- Which involves systematically tightening then releasing muscle groups beginning with the foot and progressing upward to the head.
2. Deep Breathing Technique-  Deep cleansing breathes are performed from the diaphragm to rid the lungs of stale air and increase oxygen saturation in the blood. 
3. A Combination of the Two Techniques-  Producing an overall state of calm. 

            I have no doubt that  these techniques do work as they would directly counteract the symptoms of adrenaline during period of anxiety and panic attacks. However, the most surprising thing to me was the realization that deep breathing would be a beneficial practice for everyone, not just those with anxiety issues. After taking a few breathes, the right way, as Dr. Dula instructed, I could feel the difference instantly. I came way from the lecture determined to make deep breathing a daily exercise.  The fact is - BREATHING IS LIFE - and I want to have the best life possible. I hope to improve my overall health by re-learning this most basic, but necessary process. 

In closing, I want to encourage everyone to attend this lecture. It is free, educational, inspiring, and FUN!      

Reece Museum Adventure

            
                 I got to visit the Reece Museum this past week for The Best of Tennessee Craft Exhibit. I did enjoy all the art work. There were a few pieces I admired the most and I am including their pictures here. While I do understand that art is open to the viewer to interrupt, I found myself wishing that the artists had provided some insight into their work. Perhaps a brief background about the motivation behind the piece. However, I could glimpse a bit from some of the titles. For instance, Death Spirit Box......that one makes it quite obvious. It is a beautiful work. Though it is hard to see in the picture, the wooden column is intricately carved and must have taken many hours to complete. The striking raven, which lies atop, is a recognizable symbol of death. Plus, the fact that he lies dead instead of just perching there makes an ominous statement. 

Other titles aren't as forthcoming with hints...... Thursday Friday Spirit is a handsome wood carving of a large Stork or Herring. I'm not sure which. Either way, I am unsure what a bird has to do with the spirit of weekdays. However, the good news is, that we do not need to understand it to appreciate it.


  
The last work that I really liked were the blown glass pieces. They are so very colorful and the patterns made by the blown glass technique are truly marvelous. The title is Wind Carved, which I think is nice since they were "carved" by air. Also, those lovely patterns certainly swirl around like they were made by the wind. I have seen blown glass made and it is a fascinating technique that produces one-of-kind items of beauty and these are a fine example.

All of the displays in this exhibit were interesting and lovely and I applaud the artists for their hard work. I would be proud to own any of them for myself.
 

Who Am I?

 

   

     This is the ultimate question we all face at some point in life. My first instinct is to respond with a laundry list of the many roles or faces I wear in life..... daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, Christian, student, animal rescuer, volunteer, etc. But, is that who I am or what I do? I must ask myself if the things I DO make me who I am OR if I do those things BECAUSE of who I am? Of course this question is in-line with the age old debate of Nature vs. Nurture. Personally, I believe that a combination of genetics, upbringing, and experiences shape who we are.
     We are defined by our unique characteristics, attributes, and talents. In that regard, I consider my top inherited traits to be a healthy load of common sense, a good bit of sass, and wicked sense of humor. Over time, I have developed a respectable work ethic, generosity, loyalty, and altruism from the influence of my family. These attributes were modeled and prized by my parents and encouraged the most. As far as talents go, I would say that I have the gift of gab. Some may chuckle at that but I have found that not everyone is comfortable talking to or in front of other people or in tense situations. I, however, have never met a stranger, lacked for friends, or been at a loss for words. I hope that being friendly, talkative, and a good listener will serve me well in a counseling career. My other talents include cooking, painting, drawing, and craft projects. All of which I love to indulge in as much as possible.

         Besides personality and influences, I feel an important part of "Who We Are" can be seen in what we choose to care about. These are the things that we will invest the bulk of our time, money, attention, and effort on. These passions reveal our true nature and speak volumes about the kind of people we are. For me, that is my faith, family, community, animals, and school. These are the things I place the most value on. Therefore, my life is a collection of activities that revolve around these aspects. They bring me contentment, happiness, and a sense of pride in myself. I take my responsibilities in these areas very seriously and always give my best.

        I suppose the simplest way to describe myself is an outgoing, upbeat, fun-loving, go-the-extra-mile to help a friend or save a dog kind of girl.  Joseph Campbell said, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." 

 

         

I'm excited to get the Collo Party started!