“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Who doesn’t love, love, love a great Dumbledore quote. Lately there has been a lot of bad juju going on in the world. I had a different post written but I swapped it out for something that is really close to my heart. With all of the bad stuff that is floating around with potentially grave consequences I want to focus on things that are happening that makes me believe that strong people will persevere.
My website is dedicated to DIY projects. I am realizing that this includes DIY for our wellbeing. I love to renovate my house. These DIY projects are great because we can see progress. We know it is working. DIY for our soul is a feeling. We can’t see it and everyone measures it in a different way. Today we are talking about all of the feelings. All the feels.
Today is Memorial Day. It is important to remember all of the people that risk their lives and have lost their lives so we can have the freedom to fight for the causes we believe in. Today is such an important day. Without these people I would not be able to be a part of the things I believe in.
Today I would like to tell you about my DIY for the Soul. This past Mother’s Day I skipped brunch, put on my sweats and headed to an event that I didn’t know my heart and soul needed until it was over. My favorite rescue, Safe Hands Animal Rescue, had a huge event where new dogs came into the rescue from Southern Kentucky. When the rescue gets new dogs it is always exciting. There are nerves, chaos, smiles, fear, and probably every other emotion from humans and dogs…and it is amazing!
Safe Hands has been working to save dogs for 10 years! Take a moment to think about how many dogs have had a second chance because of Safe Hands. It is pretty humbling. All of these pics and videos are a collection of my favs since I started volunteering in 2009. Check out the Safe Hands website for our backstory. You can also check out my favorite safe hands dogs Penny, and Molly, and our foster dogs on their own pages.
Today I want to talk about how important giving back to our community is for our souls, our self respect, and our hearts. THIS… is DIY for your soul.
As much as everyone says that volunteering our time is to benefit the community who receives the charity, I don’t believe that. I believe you get just as much back if not more from donating your time, your heart, and your love. I think my rescue family would agree.
Rescue for me is a breath of fresh air. Working with volunteers, scratching dog heads, seeing smiles appear on both human and animal faces reminds me that it is not all about me. Lately I have been using the word “I” and “me” too much.
What do I want? How am I affected by this? What is best for me? IIIIII. Me me me!
This is a very self centered way to go about life, and it is not healthy. I have seen a lot of people get bogged down in this lately. Maybe it is politics, fear of the unknown, who knows. What I do know is that my life is better because of Safe Hands.
The symbiotic relationship between volunteers, dogs, and adopting families is a a beautiful dance that always has some feet that get stepped on, or stumbles along the way. Somehow it all works out and our new furry friends get a second chance with their forever families.
Volunteers at Safe Hands come from all backgrounds, locations, political affiliations, jobs, etc. We couldn’t all be more different. That is what makes us great. We put aside any ill will towards anyone’s thoughts outside the rescue and we get together for one purpose. The dogs… and a few stow away cats that make our lives better. These people are kind, giving, funny, smart, business savvy, creative, organized, and any other adjective that could possibly convey something great about someone.
If it wasn’t for Safe Hands I wouldn’t have ever met these wonderful people. We never would have crossed paths in our daily lives. We would have walked by each other on the street and missed out on all of the wonderful friendships, relationships, knowledge, equality, and love.
If it wasn’t for Safe hands I wouldn’t know what it is like to watch the light shine bright in a rescue dog’s eyes when they realize they are safe, people love them, and they never have to worry about missing a meal or sleeping outside again. The unconditional love they give is so powerful.
If it wasn’t for Safe Hands I would never know what it is like to receive unconditional love from my furry daughters. I would never know what it is like to be able to give someone a safe haven. I would never know the heartbreak of having to let a foster dog go and the excitement from seeing a dog find their new family.
This Mother’s Day Safe Hands welcomed 50+ new dogs into the rescue family. I got to meet every one of them with welcoming arms. The hope of a new life is so strong. I am thankful that I get to be a part of the journey for the dogs, new families, and volunteers. This event was a great reminder that no matter our differences when someone, human or animal, needs our help we are there for them.
In sharing these stories with you all today I hope to inspire you to find your own Safe Hands Rescue. Remind yourself of all of the people that allow you to fight for your own causes. Find something that you are proud to be a part of. The work that we do and the people that we meet change our outlooks on life forever. I am so proud to be part of a family that cares so much for each other, both humans, and canines alike.
For more info on Safe Hands Rescue please visit our website!
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