Winter is hard on many of us. It is so easy to sink into depression and negativity. Little things seem to bother people more. Life seems harder. Well I have something to say about this, SNAP OUT OF IT! My dear friend Dusty once told me that I can not always control what happens to me, but I can choose how I react to it. She was right. It is not always the easy route, however, in the long run it is the most beneficial.
    When meltdowns start to build up inside, you, have the ability to shut them down. Now let me be clear, this is not, and I mean not, stuffing it down and ignoring it. This is, dealing with how you feel, acknowledging it, then letting it go. You Can Do It! Wheather you broke a nail, snapped at your wife, slipped in the rain, or whatever it is that got you down in the dumps, there is a cure.
    First, step back by yourself and ask yourself what is it that really bothered you? The situation, the event, a person, or simply not being in control (this is my big one). Once you've identified it ask yourself Is it that big a deal, really? Will it matter tomorrow? Next week? A year or five? Most of the time the answer is no. Ask yourself is this worth an argument? Ruining my day or someone else's? Should I fix it or let it go? (letting go is usually best). Lastly ask yourself if this was made worse by outside triggers andhow you can improve your mood.
    I find lack of sunshine and too much junk food makes me see things more negatively or react badly. I take a deep breath and follow the steps. No matter how bad something is, 99% of the time it is not permenant. Most things are not worth an argument. Feeling overwhelmed at times is normal but TEMPORARY. I have a cup of my favorite tea and force myself to smile. I find one thing to think about that I am greatful for (today it's heaters). I choose to let it go and not spread negativity.
   The dictionary defines Contagious as: capable of being transmitted or spread; tending to to spread from person to person. Bad moods, bad attitudes, bad anything is contagious. A honked horn, a snapped response, a dirty look, all spread like wildfire. Even inner negative thoughts can burn out of control. You can stop the trend. The Good news is, Positive Attitudes and smiles spread just as fast! :) It's ok to have a bad day. It's not ok to make someone else's bad too. You might be surprised how a simple act of kindness to someone else can make you feel better. In turn they feel better and are kind to someone else. Yet another example of how one person can make a positive difference. Come on give it a try!
    Need some help? It takes practice. Here are some ideas for simple kindness but I encourage you to think outside the list and expand it. Please share your additional ideas with me.
    Simple Kind Acts:
Spend a few extra minutes with your pets or family. Hold a door open for a stranger. Give someone right of way in the car. Tell someone you know or don't know how great they look (Ex: I love you're sweater it goes beautifully with you hair). Listen to someone who needs a friendly ear, but not give advice unless asked for. Post a positive quote on facebook or twitter. Call someone just to say Hi I Love You. Ok Take it from here! You can do it!
    An important note: Stop Apologizing! If someone says you've hurt their feelings then apologize. If you just feel guilty or like you didn't do something well enough, don't apologize just do better next time. My favorite acting coach William Cowart once told me "Guilt is like paying a debt you don't owe". Wise man. Ask yourself if you really owe that debt you are making yourself suffer for. Remember to be kind to yourself too.
    Simple Kind Acts For Yourself:
Have a cup of tea and take time to just enjoy it alone. Take a bubble bath or long shower. Watch an old movie. Read an inspirational book (I have many suggestions). Catch up with an old friend. Go for a walk. Put on some happy music. Hug your pets. Volunteer. There is so much you can do.
     Happieness comes from within. It does not appear with money or success. Now Go! Be Positive. Spread the love and the good contagion. Lets kill off negativity. We Can Do Anything! All we have to do is try :)
    Stay Positive! Rebecca

    Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! MLK is a great example of how one person can make a difference but if we come together we can affect change worldwide.
    I have spent most of January getting organized, home, school, health, everything. Focusing on the positive things in life and believing I can do anything with hard work is getting my year off to a great start.
    Doing something as simple as making someone laugh when they are having a bad day, Giving your pet extra attention, Smiling at a stranger, or spreading the word about how to help wildlife, is a way anyone can make a positive difference every day.
    College starts back up for me next week so I am cleaning like mad, ready to start back on a positive note, driven, and determined.
    What are your goals this month?
Stay Positive!  "Only in darkness can you see the stars" ~Martin Luther King Jr.  More soon, Rebecca

Please Note: This is Rebecca's personal blog full of her thoughts and opinions.
    Thanks for checking out my newest website. For those of you who have seen the old one and wondered why it disappeared, here is the story. My domains used to be hosted by GoDaddy upon recommendation by a computer savvy friend of mine. They were nice to work with and efficient. I didn't really like their ads but figured it was not a big issue. Then I heard that the Owner and CEO had killed an elephant and was bragging about it. Knowing how news stories get blown out of proportion I decided to do some research. I read all the stories and even checked out his blog. I was horrified! He not only bragged about this rogue elephant who had terrorized the villagers but posted pictures of himself posing on the dead elephant, you could even watch the video of the killing! (Elephants do not die quickly) He claimed to be heroic for saving the town and feeding the villagers. I did more research and continued to find out that he purposefully went "Game" or trophy hunting for fun every year. His list of kills was long and included endangered species such as Jaguars. I had researched enough. No one who killed for fun was going to be associated with me.
    Unfortunately transferring domains is not as easy as I thought and even though they "claimed" to be helping me they made it difficult. It was beyond me why a person would link their personal hunting with their business. I explained why I was leaving and they preached the "Hero" aspect. They were lucky I was on the phone. Months later on my last call with them they explained to me that I did not need to transfer anymore because he no longer owned or ran GoDaddy he was just a board member...Really? Uggh. After many months I finally have everything successfully transferred to FatCow. 
    FatCow is awesome. When I called I asked about their company about their services and values, I explained why I cared so much. They were great! I talked to the owner and many of the staff. No trophy hunters here! FatCow is also a 100% wind powered hosting site and a completely green company. They have been very helpful and I am glad I did the research and made this choice.
    I want to make one personal note about hunting. I grew up in a family that hunted. I am not and never have been a hunter and I don't like guns (ironic considering my service in the Army and the way I was raised but that is how I feel). My dad hunted and fished to feed his family. I am not against humanely hunting for food. I am against hunting for trophy's, fun, or sport. I was raised that if "you kill it. You eat it" and you use all of it. I do not approve of hunting for furs, bragging rights, or exotic meats. Crocodilians are my biggest pet peeve they are hunted or farmed for a small portion of meat and skin. A maximum of 30% of crocodilians is actually used the rest is thrown out. In contrast 99% of cows are used. I do eat meat, but not every day and am cutting back more and more each year.  Wheather you consider yourself a carnivore, omnivore, or herbivore is a personal choice. My request of society is please eat sustainably and responsibly. Your health and the planet will thank you.
    On a lighter note I am excited for 2012! I will be getting my website up to speed, suggestions are welcomed. I am a "super-senior" at CSULB with many hard but interesting classes ahead of me. I am going to get back into shape and start really running again. Most important of all, I have declared 2012 the year to be positive! I am working on finding the positive in life and my stress has already decreased.
    Please check back often future posts will be uplifting and positive, stories from both my personal & wildlife point of view, maybe even a few recipes, favorite quotes, or stories of my favorite hobbies. You'll just have to check back to see.
Happy New Year! We Can Make A Difference!
        Stay positive, Rebecca

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