tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92655542009-12-23T07:39:07.420-06:00eclectic musings of an eclectic person. (Wait...if I call myself eclectic...am I really eclectic?)Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232419976061056284noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265554.post-79251946377439255302009-12-23T07:09:00.002-06:002009-12-23T07:39:07.529-06:00So, in trying to organize the garage, I found my soapbox. Or rather, it found me. I hadn't really used my soapbox lately, and it was sure to let me know it didn't appreciate the lapse in communication. So, it's hidden my car keys until we have a good chat. So here goes.<br /><br />It struck me this morning that doing the right thing doesn't get rewarded much. You can be noble all day long, and, for the most part, the pay is still the same. Zero. So why do we do it anyway? I'll tell you why: for the non-monetary benefits. <br /><br />Knowing that each of us can make a difference in the world, whether it is in our neighborhood, or further than that, I think that is part of the reward. Knowing that you can help someone, even if just for a moment, see that the world has hope and love, that's part of the reward also.<br /><br />No, you can't put a price on that warm fuzzy feeling you get from helping others have just a little bit brighter day. There is no barcode to scan on your donation of food to a shelter. There is no balancing the checkbook after sorting your clothes and donating some to those in need. You don't have to check your bank statement for the time you spent volunteering at an animal shelter. You usually don't get a paycheck from helping out those who may be less fortunate, and sometimes you don't have to spend money either to help people. Life is interesting like that.<br /><br />Thank you, dear reader, for reading. This was a short post, a collection of thoughts I've had running through my brain this morning. It's probably not polished and completely grammatically correct, but it's a blog, so I'm hoping that the grading will have a curve. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and a merry Christmas. I was fortunate enough to receive wonderful advice from a college professor. When asked if he had any words of wisdom for the graduating class, he advised, "Go forth, and do good." (Thanks Dr. W!) So, go forth and do good, dear reader. I'm going to go find my car keys now.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9265554-7925194637743925530?l=www.lorigourley.com' alt='' /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232419976061056284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265554.post-83995187656254045882009-12-21T20:54:00.003-06:002009-12-21T21:01:39.153-06:00Hello interwebs! Welcome to the tiny plot of Internet I call home. Look for more posts soon (This time for sure), and I hope to talk with all of you soon. For now, please enjoy this link of a surprised, but adorable kitty: <a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=feb_1259434351">Surprised kitty</a> <br /><br />Later!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9265554-8399518765625404588?l=www.lorigourley.com' alt='' /></div>Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00232419976061056284noreply@blogger.com0