Volunteer Around The World!

Have you ever wanted to see the world...and at the same time, help others? There are TONS of opportunities out there where you can volunteer your time to help someone, and at the same time, experience new countries, cultures and people. 

I have started to put together a list of great organizations (with more added everyday)...thru my facebook and twitter pages (you can subscribe to these lists as well). I wanted to share these with you - and if you know of any others, please send them my way, and I will add to my list!

For facebookers:

For twitterers:

And for those who are not on either, check out the tab "Volunteer"

here on my blog!

Go BEYOND yourself....see the world and lend a helping hand!

Sometimes....

Sometimes, you have to realize.... and accept....that you did the best you could with what you had and what your life was offering. And sometimes, it's no one's fault. It just was what it was.


And the fact that you know now, it would be better, doesn't change the past. But from here on out, it will always be better than the past...because you have learned and have grown stronger and better!


And now, it is what it is...


be AMAZING now....now that you know better!


(and don't forget to smile along the way!)


:)

The danger of a single story

I went to an expo this weekend...to learn more about my upcoming adventure...and
one of the panelists suggested looking in to this story. I am so happy this was brought to my attention! Many people, including myself, have very limited views on various cultures, people, countries, etc. 


Please take a moment and watch this video...

It's a little long, but worth EVERY second!

There is NEVER just ONE story...of a people, place, etc...

I hope this will help open your eyes, mind and heart to this big, wonderful world we live in! And hopefully it will leave you wanting to learn MORE about what you think you already know....

Negativity, you're exhausting....

Can I vent for a sec?


I have learned to see the positive in everything around me (well, I think I have always done this, but lately I seem to be doing it more). I like positive, happy people, things, ideas, etc.


But lately, especially thanks to social networks, I realize, even more, that sooooo many people stay in the negative. It's not the "dark" side, but it might as well be. I read people harping on the bad things  - in their lives, or ideas, religion, political views, etc, that they do not agree with - and to be frank, it's exhausting to read....over and over and over and over again.


I understand we all have bad days, or we feel strongly about something, and need to vent. By all means, vent away - keeping it inside is unhealthy. And having strong opinions and ideas is a very good thing! With people like you, with these strong convictions, things have gotten accomplished in this world. Lives have become better, cures have been found, change has occurred in our laws, and people have flourished to become the best they can be. 


But there's a difference between harping and complaining, and actually ACTING on your views. And many are just too lazy to ACT. I think they just like to hear themselves, or want to bring everyone else down, or are just looking for a reaction. If something, or someone, brings out negativity in you, and you find yourself complaining, and harping on the subject, DO SOMETHING about it! Figure out how to fix it, then let it go, and leave it behind.  Consumed by these thoughts will only make YOU more negative. And negativity results in unhappiness...for you AND those around you. And many don't want to be around this negativity...PLUS, nothing is accomplished.


Years ago, I had the unfortunate experience of losing friends because I was complaining constantly about my job. Actually, I didn't even realize I was doing it, until a friend brought it to my attention. No one wanted to be around me. It sucked. Which, of course, made me feel even more negative. In reality, at that time in my life, I was just an unhappy person. I guess once I was able to fix the unhappiness, the negativity slowly went away....


Instead of being negative, turn it into something positive and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Life can be unkind and unfair, but listening to you complain, makes MY life unfair. I don't want to hear it. You bring me down. I want to SEE you change things. And if you don't know how to change things, ask, google, bing or yahoo away...there are options out there. And if you STILL can't find your answer, then let it go to life, and move on. 


There's bad stuff happening all around us. It's just a fact. But I, personally, am trying to spread the positivity...I figure, it's the least I can do - and this way, I'm not just harping on the negative people in my world....but trying to help them see the other side. Living in the positive makes everything else around you positive and wonderful! Try it out....you might just surprise yourself! 

Love

What a ride I've been on! But I have learned that only when you find happiness WITH yourself and WITHIN yourself, that only then, will you truly be able to give (and find and receive!) love... :)


p.s. I will be writing more on this topic a little later....definitely not done with the "love" talk!