Compassion

“Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment.”

—Arthur Jersild; professor of psychology and education

What's Cathy Reading

Right now I am reading "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. It seems like everyone is recommending this book and I understand why. The writer did extensive research on what makes a company jump from being a good company to being a great company. Many of the ideas in the book can be applied to improving one's life and definitely to improving one's leadership style.

I am also reading "From Dead to Worse" by Charlaine Harris, book 8 of the Sookie Stackhouse series (Southern Vampire series). If you are looking for a light series and enjoy vampires then I highly recommend it.

What's Cathy Reading

Currently I am reading "Dead as a Doornail" by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse series); "God, I Have Issues: 50 ways to pray no matter how you feel" by Mark E. Thibodeaux, S.J.; and "The White Rose of Scotland" by Audrey McClellan.

The first is for fun, the second for faith and the third I am going to return to the library and maybe read at a later date.

What is Integrity?

“Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won't cheat, then you know he never will.”
—John D. MacDonald (1916-1986); author

Hannah's Hope

A local Girl Scout leader is trying to get the word out about this very worthy cause. She said:

"I was also wondering if we can help get the word out about a concert that is raising money to help a little girl: http://www.hannahshopefund.org/ When we were selling cookies at the mall last weekend her father came up and was very nice to my girls and asked if we could try to get the word about the concert out - that right now there is more overhead than tickets sold."

If you, or your child, like to listen to Radio Disney then this would probably be a great concert to go to. And you will be helping out a little girl too.

Look for a Good Laugh

“A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.”

—Carolyn Birmingham

The quote is brought to you by Foundation for a Better Life.

My recommendation for a place to find a good laugh is "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" the NPR news quiz.

Geese Crossing

While leaving work yesterday I saw a group of geese crossing the street. There were maybe 15-18 of them. While it only took them about 20 seconds to cross the street, I thought that people starting the long commute home might find this hold up irritating. I found it amusing.

The business park where I work attracts the geese every year and they can often be seen at lunch time when I am taking advantage of the walking trails and getting in a little exercise.

There was a goose in the back of the crowd that seemed to be herding the rest of them safely across the street. He seemed to know that these large metal boxes on wheels (cars) could harm the geese. He looked intimidating with his wings spread and his neck elongated.

All of the geese made it across the road and traffic started to flow again. And while I briefly thought of the bird droppings that would soon grace the walking trails and sidewalks, what made me smile was the knowledge that Spring is near because the geese are returning.

Pollyanna is Not a Bad Word

I have always been called an optimist and Pollyanna. I have always tried to find the good in life and in people. Some people get frustrated with me because when my car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, I think "Good, my AAA membership just paid for itself."

While many people may believe that I am this way naturally and effortlessly, it is sometimes work. For example...

This winter, the first in my new house, the ceiling in my living room started to leak. The snow on the roof froze and then there was more snow and more freezing. My dear husband explained to me that the snow was pushing under the eaves, and when the ice started to melt, it soaked into the roof and then the ceiling. My beautiful house was getting water stains and the ceiling began to flake off. I started to get depressed.

However, I decided a couple of years ago not to allow my circumstances determine my happiness. In all things I try to find the silver lining. Or as Polly would say, "something to be glad for." So, I racked my brain. My husband and his 70+ year old father went on the roof and shovelled and broke the ice into chunks that they threw down to the ground. So where was the lining?

Well, it isn't a really bright lining but I found it. The part of the ceiling that was damaged is not visible unless you are almost directly under it. My beautiful house is still beautiful and can be repaired in the Spring. My wonderfully talented and handy husband and his father who taught him to be handy, were not only able to fix the problem but willing to do it.

There is always something to be glad about. If you lose your job, it might be that it is the trigger that takes you out of a rut you have been in. In this economy, losing a job is cause for fear and anxiety but it can teach you how to be more thrifty and make you appreciate the problems of people who are homeless or people in third world countries who have almost nothing.

Just living in the United States is something to be thankful for every day. There are places to go if by some chance you do need assistance getting food, or shelter. Our children get a free education no matter where you live.

By finding something good about any situation I find that I am a happier person. What situation are you facing that yoou need to find the good in?