Main picture: Daisy and Duke a bonded pair to be adopted together now at the Niagara Falls Humane Society. For more information CLICK HERE.
I ran this title through my head many times over before settling on it. It’s a long title – yes – but at the end of the day, it captures the essence of what I want to talk to our readers about today. So many times in every day living, are we bombarded with the notion that less is more and quick equals more efficiency.
Rosie below, Up for Adoption at the Niagara Falls Humane Society NOW. For more information CLICK HERE
This thinking can often be wrong as it leads us down a rabbit hole that values productivity over quality of relationships while we speed quicker and quicker to the finish line. For what? Why do we do this? Why do we have to overwork ourselves to make another unhappy buck?
Think about the golden years of America’s automotive industry. Carlos Below, Up for Adoption at the Niagara Falls Humane Society NOW. For more information CLICK HERE
Consider the time it takes to make any popular car you find on our roads and contrast that with a car that costs half a million dollars and is made in limited supply. Consider the shortcuts made for an apple vs the time, safeguards and quality control standards of an organic apple. Have you ever stopped to wonder what those numbers on our fruits mean? When you have a quality product that you’ve put an honest effort into, and are passionate about – that matters.
Below Dolly, up for adoption NOW at the Niagara falls Humane Society. For more information CLICK HERE.
Have you stopped to take the time to listen to the rain fall on a cool (or at least this year, not so cool) fall day? In such a fast paced, “efficient” world, why is there so much negativity? Why is the notion of multitasking considered such a valuable asset? When you think about it, you are completing multiple tasks with less than 100% effort and focus. Don’t sell yourself short in this way and live into your full potential.
Think of it this way – how much do can you really get out of a TV program while you hold a conversation with a spouse and have a magazine in your hand? How many arguments could be avoided if we make eye contact with our husband or wife instead of having our eyes glued to that damn phone?
Turning off the Negative
I like food. A lot! And I’m sure you do to. We all do – but (and there’s always a but) what you put into your body influences every aspect of you. We all know this and there is a range of knowledge all about this- from common knowledge to a specialty, which often comes in the form of higher education or many late night Google searches. In today’s age – we know a lot about a lot, and if we don’t know something, we can locate this knowledge fairly quickly. How did our ancestors ever survive?
What we listen to – or not listen to – influences us. As a kid, I touched that hot stove, even when I was told not to. I was defiant until the end. Through this, I began to learn intrinsically about life and how it works, why it works, and the mechanisms that lie under the surface. This fascination brought on discovery and led me down more roads than I can talk about today. It all led me to here, to now, to today.
Also through this journey of self discovery, I learned that people can be pretty crappy; and that’s putting it very mildly for our PG readers. Through trial and error we learn how to turn away from the negativity that floods life. Although we know in our minds what to do, why is it so often that we repeat the same patterns of behaviour and chose (by our own actions or otherwise) to continue tapping into that negativity? It’s so easy to start cutting out toxic companions, gossipers, and drama queens. Why don’t more of us do it? Why is it so hard to turn off that negativity and focus on what is right for us? Are those people we surround ourselves with building us up or tearing us down?
(Below Agatha, up for adoption NOW at the Niagara Falls Humane Society. For more information please CLICK HERE).
Take a look at these very unique markings on Agatha. She embodies the spirit of positive and negative – of ying and of yang. She is both shy and comfortable – both quiet and in on the action. Step up and take her home. She needs you to love her.
Tuning into the Positivity
Tapping into something takes time and effort. It’s a commitment that isn’t easy, but well worth the reward. What is it in your life? Your spouse? Your parents? Your bff? Your children? For many of us, it’s our pets and they play such an important part for us. If you are a regular reader, you know one thing – here at Niagara Falls Humane Society, we are all for our animals. Life is rough. Life is beautiful. These two statements contrast and smash together at certain tipping points back and fourth on this roller coaster we know as our life.
Volunteering at the Shelter for quite a long time now, I can’t help but burst at the seams every time someone brings up animal welfare. The staff and volunteers at this Shelter have hearts of gold, and the passion of an Olympic champion. They are all in for these animals. We have built a community here at the Shelter. For many this brings a sense of belonging – a sense of purpose. A sanctuary from the clouds of negativity hanging around outside waiting for us to leave. Where does this positivity come from though?
I think I know – it’s build into the unrelenting and unstoppable spirit of the animals inside. They have faced horrendous, gut wrenching circumstances, so why are they the ones saving us from ourselves? How can they go through so much pain and still have the capacity to still give us such overflowing love? This makes me stop and think – do we have it all backwards? Are we truly the ones at the top of the proverbial food chain?
Bones above, is one of our most lovable dogs. He is always looking for positive spins – check out those antlers! For more information about adoption CLICK HERE.
Live with Intent
I encourage you to live. Truly live. Please stop reading right now and think deeply about what I am asking you to do. What do you define as living? What do you define as true and utter happiness? How do you get there? How do you live with intent every single day? In every moment. In every breath.
Grab your smart phone right now and tap into Podcasts. Turn off that latest pop tune that means absolutely nothing to you and start tapping into that deep knowledge the world has to offer. When was the last time you had an intelligent discussion about the latest top hit on Kiss 98.5 FM? My guess is that it’s never happened. How empowered have you felt teaching someone something new, or offering a cool little fact, in a discussion with close friends or colleagues? It’s a really neat feeling to be able to talk to someone about something that isn’t common knowledge. It adds to a conversation and makes you stand out. In a world muddied with muted colours, don’t you want to be a highlight?
When I say live with intent I also mean do things outside of your comfort zone, something that may not be popular or makes others uncomfortable Be bold. Be innovative. Be a leader and change your world. And come get one of our dogs! Do life together with a furry friend. Life is better together.
My hope is that I’ve planted some new ideas in your mind that will allow you to reevaluate things in your life. I’d love to hear from you if you have something to add to this ongoing discussion.
(Below, Oliver, looking for a new home now at the Niagara Falls Humane Society. For more information please CLICK HERE).
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This week’s contribution by Christopher Dalton
