Life Lessons Learned from an Animal Welfare Conference
I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas. It was a great trip with lots of fun and good friends. My husband and I were attending the Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets conference with more than 1100 people dedicated to improving the lives of animals and their humans. I spent more than 2 days sitting in small, windowless hotel conference rooms listening to experts in animal health care, training, animal legislation and fundraising. I listened to speaker after speaker talk about how to help shelters improve the lives of the animals they serve. They talked about the lessons they learned every day from the animals in their care and I realized that many of these messages also translate into creating a better life for us.
Lesson Number 1: There is enough for everyone.
Lesson Number 2: Ask. See Lesson #1 … There is enough for everyone. At the conference I learned that 7 out of 10 people give to a charity. We don’t always ask for what we need, but when we do ask, 7 out of 10 people are there to help. All those years of hearing that you don’t deserve anything has hampered your ability and willingness to ask for help. But think about how willing you are to help a friend … they are just as willing to help you … you just have to ask. Your friends will love and support you but you do have to ask … they’ll watch the kids or pick you up at the auto repair shop.
Lesson Number 3: Volunteer. All of us want to make a difference in the world. We also feel that there is never enough time, enough money or both. But even as little as an hour or dollar a month can make a huge difference to others. Your heart will sing because you gave something of yourself.
Lesson Number 4: Smile. Even if you don’t want to, smile anyway. You’ll feel better and so will those on the receiving end of your smile. Did you know that people can hear a smile over the phone? Research shows that smiling over the phone improves all of your interactions with friends, clients and customers. If all that can happen over the phone when the other person can’t even see you … imagine what can happen when they do see your smiling face? Magic.
Lesson Number 5: Be Yourself. A good friend of mine, Sue Kindred, has a great quote on her email signature line Be Yourself ... Everyone else is already taken!!
Lesson Number 6: Stop taking things personally. Stop worrying about what other people think about you. Another great quote is from speaker Mikki Williams—“Be outrageous, it’ the only place that isn’t crowded.”
Lesson Number 7: You’re not always right. I know you’d like to think you are, but you’re not. So, live with it … it’ll make you feel better.
Lesson Number 8: Say Thank You. It’s the easiest (and cheapest) way to express your gratitude and it has the added bonus of increasing your abundance.
Lesson Number 9: Practice at least one of these life lessons daily. You will be happier, more peaceful and more confident. And you’ll find that the sky’s the limit as to what you can accomplish.
It is that time of the year again. Are you feeling the holiday cheer yet? If you can’t get into the spirit without dipping into the spiked Egg Nog you may need to listen to this free audio seminar. Holiday Hassle: Survival Support During the Holidays is designed to help you get the through the holidays while experiencing more joy with less stress. Each recording is less than 30 minutes long and each will give you a much needed break from the chaos of the season.
Vickie Griffith
by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | November 29, 2010
blog comments powered by Disqus
Articles
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on twitter