June 10, 2011- Less about me, more about you…

     Tonight, after a day or so of thinking about myself and my worries, I found myself focusing my attention on others instead.  I attended our end of the year education department party and then headed down to one of the local hang outs to see my best friend in support of her first night on the job as the sole bartender for the evening.  At the first event, I was saddened as we said goodbye to two long term teachers who have been cut for next year due to our ever decreasing company and defense budget, and I felt grateful once again to have a job, a home, and relatively no bills to speak of as I live life on a tropical island free from so many of the every day worries of the world.  Then, I headed down to my next stop and talked for a while with another mom, such as myself, about the challenges and concerns of raising children, no matter where you reside, and I laughed at funny stories about other’s lives, where they have been, and what they have experienced, and I realized that joy comes from so many places. You just have to be willing to fill your glass up with it. 
     In the end, giving your time, energy, and listening ears to others gives back to you tenfold.  Giving of your dedication and hard work to making things better in your workplace or community provides you more peace than buying things for yourself. Concentrating less on yourself and more on others enriches our lives and gives us true purpose, so next time I feel down on myself, I’ll take the time to give whatever is needed to someone else and thus, improve not only my own life, but another human being’s life as well.