I am not an outgoing person. Yeah, I'm
a bit of an introvert. By mere virtue of being the “early morning
guy” at the radio station for over 20 years, I'm in bed early, so I
don't pick up too many friends along the way (at least, those who
want to go out after 8pm to hang out). As a result, many people I
have struck up friendships with are through social media. Gotta
appreciate friendships where you can find them.
There was one thing a few years back
that became the impetus for my “doing good for no reward”. A
puppy mill was busted in my county, and – through a dog club my
wife belonged to – a call was put out for volunteers to help clean
and process the puppies for our Sheriff's Department. Without giving
it a second thought, my wife and volunteered.
We taken to an undisclosed location,
where we found a couple hundred Chihuahua, Yorkie, and other small
puppies, in cages stacked to the ceiling. It was not the location of
the puppy mill, but cramped conditions, nonetheless. We volunteered
for any task needed, which included cleaning the puppies (and their
mothers), talking to them, and simply giving them gentle human
contact – talking to them, holding them, calming them – while
they were cataloged as evidence by law enforcement.
The health conditions were bad enough
that we all had to wear masks to avoid diseases from the air, and we
were instructed to throw away or burn the clothes we wore after we
were done. As dog owners, to see these animals - abused and
neglected, with no prior human contact, shaking and afraid - it was a
life-changing experience, to say the least. Fortunately, we have not
had another puppy mill come up in our county. My wife and I, though,
are committed to doing whatever we can, if that happens ever again.
Fast forward to today... At the close
of my radio show, I read what I call “Good News” stories. Stories
of people doing right by others, usually total strangers. My hope is
that - with far too much negativity everywhere in the world - I can
show my listeners that people are inherently good, do kind things for
no reward, and everyone has the capacity for good in their hearts.
There are two things that transcend ethnicity, political persuasion,
social status, etc. - the capacity in the human heart to do evil and
the capacity to do good. I can't think of a better way to end my air
shift with a focus on the latter.
My inspiration for that segment comes
from my cousin, Lori. She has spent her adult life working to help
at-risk and homeless teens find shelter, comfort, and acceptance. Her
“heart project” is Ryan's House for Youth, a teen shelter on
Whidbey Island (in Washington State), which broke ground at their new
facility not too long ago. I was pleased to help her promote the
fundraising effort to acquire the property they now operate on, and I
look forward to promoting their 1 year anniversary event in
September. She is a kind person in so many ways, I cannot count. She
is my “do good” muse, and I love her all the more for it.
I'll close with this. Be good to
yourself, be good to others. It benefits you and others in
innumerable ways.
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