Rant # 19: Making friends

I realize that my daily rants haven't been quite daily the last few days. I always think I can do it all but even super me can't always fit in everything I want to accomplish. Sometimes I just have to be selective about what constitutes a priority and what doesn't.

Ordinarily Jon and I maintain a very simple life. We live with our two kids in a studio apartment. We cut corners and save as much as we possibly can. But during the past few months we decided it is time for us to stay within our means but also reward ourselves for being such frugal boys. We both came from rather fancy situations so we are quite proud of ourselves for being able to focus on what is truly important to us. That being, helping others and working with the ASPCA to find homes for beautiful rescue dogs.

The last two days we went on a shopping spree. Monday was all about new clothes and new kitchenware. We haven't really bought any new clothes for about three years. As for kitchen stuff, we have made do with odds and ends we found at thrift stores for many years. Well, now we have brand new everything for our kitchen, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, casserole dishes etc. As far as clothes go, we didn't make a big leap. We stayed with the Palm Springs basics like cargo shorts, polo style shirts, T shirts, and jeans for those fancy occasions.

The next day we bought a lot of new furniture. Out with the futon, in with a sofa bed. Bye bye old chair, in with a glider recliner. New bookcase, new night tables, new lamps (oh how I love the new lamps we chose). Don't worry, we will share pics when all is said and done. We still have to paint and have shutters made so it will take another 10 days or so.

The thing that was a pain was the amount of time spent on the bus to get where we wanted to go. But really the bus trips turned out to be the most rewarding part. I got to speak to some truly remarkable people. Not the people we meet at our favorite coffee place, but people who are working hard just to get by. To some, even the bus is a luxury. I was so amazed at how resilient most people are. They truly are trying their best to survive in today's economy. I didn't perceive bitterness or anger. I think that's something reserved for the evening news. These folks were joyous!

It just reminded me that it's not what you have, it's what you give. It's not about being loved, it's about giving love. It's not about looking at the negatives in life, it's all about going forward with a positive outlook. When you share your positive energy, it comes right back in the most miraculous ways.

Yes, we were fortunate enough to afford new stuff without incurring debt. But, at the end of the day it's just stuff. That will get old and go away in time. But the wonderful interactions will have a ripple affect that will last forever.

                                       Peace and Love,

                                         Austin/Bill

                                                             The Way I think  

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