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Posts tagged with "Altruism"

Calling All Friends!

Monday, 21. September 2009, 23:41:14

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The reason I'm posting this is so that I can help a friend out. In order to help this friend out, though, I need your help as well! :smile: No, you don't have to buy anything or sign up for spam or anything else that's annoying like that. Here's the dealio....

A very good friend of mine whom I love to death knows a girl who wants to be a model SO badly. Well, there is a Model of The Runway Casting Challenge that she's really, really trying for a chance at. She was late with getting into the competition, so she's falling behind on votes.

About this girl...she goes by "Revans" on the website. I don't personally know her, but from what I've heard of her, she's a total sweetheart with a dream. Here's what my friend said about her:

She is THE sweetest kid! She's a freshman at Texas Tech this year majoring in broadcast journalism. She was always an honor student, and never been in ANY trouble. Danielle REALLY wants to be a model and is in a contest, but she entered late and isn't moving up fast enough.



So, my friends...this is where we can help! If you would be so kind as to take the time to go vote for her, not only would my friend be appreciative, but I would as well. I would love to see a genuinely sweet & nice girl win this thing. There are way too many girls who are pretty on the outside, yet ugly on the inside. Danielle is one of the few who possesses both types of beauty, so I'm behind her 100%! I would love for her dream to come true...and if any of us can help her, I think we should! :happy:

When you click the "VOTE" button on the website, it takes you HERE. Apparently you've got to sign up in order to vote. I realize this is a pain in the ass to many, but really...it only takes a few moments & then you're all set. You can vote ONCE PER DAY, so if you're going to be one of the people to do this, please make sure to remember to go back daily!

Thanks so much in advance to all of you who are going to help! :love:


20 comments

My Good Deed of The Day

Saturday, 7. March 2009, 08:03:16

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I had to go to Walmart yesterday so that I could pick up a few items that we needed. Most people are unaware of this fact, but I have severe Social Anxiety Disorder accompanied by Panic Disorder. (I also have some other disorders, but they're irrelevant to this story.) What that basically means is that I become OVERLY nervous when I'm placed in social situations...especially when I'm alone (without my "safe" people: family, friends...etc.) in the situation.

In order for you to understand the extent of these issues, I will share one example with you: One time about four or five years ago, we needed cat food. I decided that although I was very nervous about going to the pet store alone, I would do it anyway. I have always hated the fact that I have anxiety issues, so this time I decided that I'd be stubborn and just go to the pet store alone no matter what. I made my way through the store and picked the food out for our cats. I was nervous, but doing okay. The time came, though, for me to have to go to the cashier and pay for the food. THIS is when I really began to freak out. My heart started to beat out of my chest, I could hardly breathe, I began to shake like crazy....I was SO nervous. The thought of having to talk with the cashier overwhelmed me. There were two people ahead of me in line. The one person finished their purchase and were on their way. I then realized that only one more customer stood between the cashier and me. :eyes: I had a panic attack right there on the spot. I immediately got out of line, ran the cat food back to the shelf, and ran out of that store faster than greased lightning. I just couldn't bring myself to interact with anyone at that point.

That's how anxiety works. There is absolutely no logic behind it...it shows up whenever it feels like it, and when it does, it takes over the body AND mind. It's a horrible way to live, but I've done it my entire life. I'm on meds for it now, but they're certainly no 'cure'. They do take the edge off, though. I'm much more able to do things with the meds than I would be able to do without them.

I am aware that this might seem pretty odd to many of you. After all, I am so active and outgoing here online. The difference is that you people aren't actually sitting here right in front of me. I can hide behind this monitor and it allows me to be the person I truly am inside. I guess that's one of the reasons I love the Internet so much. I feel as though I can finally be a 'normal' person who interacts with other humans without totally freaking out and having panic attacks.

Ever since the death of my ex in 2001, my anxiety/panic issues have worsened. I suppose that's to be expected, but it still sucks. Thank God I have Lonnie, though. He's so understanding of everything. He never EVER gripes about having to go with me to all of my appointments, shopping, school functions...etc. He completely understands my disorders and is more than happy to be here for me when I need him...which is A LOT. :love: I really lucked out when I found Lonnie.

So anyway, now that I've explained my mental issues, I want to tell you about the good deed I did! I'm SO stoked and excited that I actually did it. I can't believe I followed through...and I'm so proud of myself and happy that I did! :happy: Here's what happened...

Like I said previously, I had to get a few items at Walmart. I decided to go to Walmart all by myself this time. Lonnie was busy with work and the kids were both at school, so I said to myself, "You can do this! Just go and prove to yourself that you've got it in you!" So that's what I set out to do. I got in the shower and cleaned myself up...put my make-up on, did my hair, got dressed...etc. - I was ready to go! I let Lonnie know that I was headed to Walmart and I borrowed his cell phone from him in case anything happened while I was out...grabbed the car keys, kissed Lonnie, and headed out. I'd normally feel pretty nervous all the way to the store, but this time I felt pretty good. I wasn't nervous at all and felt fairly confident. :smile:

I got to Walmart and grabbed all the stuff I needed. I was doing so well in there all by myself that I decided to walk a lap around the whole store. I figured that it'd be good for my condition to stay out as long as I could since the more exposure I have to other people, the easier my outings become for me. I made a conscious effort to look people in the eyes and smile at them. I was surprised at how well I did. Well, after a while of doing this, I finally decided to pay for my junk and get going. Amazingly enough, I didn't even get nervous when the time came to talk to the cashier. As a matter of fact, I even made some small talk with her...and better yet, I made her laugh at one point! I love that! :D

On my way out to the vehicle, I happened to notice an old man who was unloading his shopping cart into the trunk of his car. I then looked to see how far from his car the cart corral thing was. I then realized it was only two or three car lengths down from my SUV. Without a second thought, I walked over to the elderly gentleman and said to him, "I'd be more than happy to return your cart for you if you'd like me to." :smile: He looked at me with a somewhat puzzled look and said, "What's that?"...I repeated myself. He smiled SO big and said, "You mean I wouldn't even have to pay you for such a nice thing?" I laughed and said to him, "That big smile on your face is more than enough payment for me!" :happy: The old man kind of chuckled and said, "In my 100 years, this is the first time anyone has ever offered to do something like this for me...Thank you!" I don't know if he was being sarcastic or honest about his age, but I looked into his caring and sweet eyes and said, "It's really my pleasure!" I grabbed the cart and was about to wheel it away when I noticed his black cane inside of it. I said to him, "Oh! You don't want to forget your cane. What the heck would you hit people with if you didn't have it?!" :lol: He laughed, thanked me again, and we both went on our merry ways.

This whole situation is no big deal to the average person. I can imagine someone is reading this and is thinking, "Yeah? So what? Give me a break!" To me, though...wow. This is HUGE! I have never in my entire life walked up to a complete stranger to strike up a conversation with them. I've always had too much anxiety, shyness, and feelings of panic in order to do something like that.

Well, now that I have accomplished this major feat, I have decided that I'm going to push myself on a regular basis. I'm going to force myself to get out there and strike up conversations...help people...do whatever I can at the time in order gain more and more confidence and do whatever I can to get over this anxiety/panic issue. I know I will never completely get over it. It's a life-long disorder...but I can sure as Hell fight it with all I've got! :D

I'm going to wrap this up now. I feel somewhat embarrassed and even kinda ashamed to admit some of these issues of mine, but hey...this is me. I might as well learn to be more open about who I am and realize that I'm not "damaged goods" like my ex used to always say I was.:smile:


125 comments

Please Help Me Out

Sunday, 16. November 2008, 10:27:12

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As most of you know and as I've already posted, the people here on My Opera are running a contest known as The My Opera Awards 2008. I think it's pretty cool that they are doing such a thing so that people who have truly earned recognition get some.

The reason I am posting about this subject again is quite simple. I'm here to ask for your votes. I honestly feel as though I am a very active and helpful member of the My Opera community, and I have earned a little bit of recognition. I hate how arrogant and self-serving that sounds, but oh well…it's true.

I found myself browsing through the polls a few minutes ago. I opened up the category for Most Helpful Opera Forum Member expecting to see my name in there once…maybe twice. Much to my dismay, I hadn't been nominated at all. Not even once. :confused: I instantly found myself feeling incredibly confused. I know without any doubt in my mind that I'm a very helpful member of My Opera. Not only have I posted tutorials in order to help people personalize their profiles and browsers, but I've helped countless people with graphics and code. Every single time I've been asked for help, I have either come through with the help, myself…or have pointed the person in the direction of someone else who could help them.

In addition to the graphics and coding help I've given, last Christmas, I put Santa hats on everyone's avatars. I had people I'd never spoken to before and haven't spoken with since asking me to personalize their avatar with a Santa hat…and each time I was happy to oblige. I even went so far as to bake a quadruple batch of gingerbread cookies and decorated them for all of my friends here on My Opera. Some of you have GOT to remember this, right?

I guess my feelings are just a bit hurt. I have never EVER done any of the aforementioned stuff with any intention to get anything in return. I did it in order to be an altruistic and good person. The fact, though, that it appears like it's meant nothing to anyone is really hurting my heart. I have found myself sitting here with tears in my eyes wondering why I've not gotten even one vote for being helpful. Am I not as helpful as I think I am? Is that it? Am I maybe delusional and I think I'm way more helpful than I really am?

I don't know…I have no idea what to think. I know that I don’t want to give up, though. If you have not yet voted, I would genuinely appreciate your consideration for a nomination. There are a few different categories I can be nominated in. They are as follows:

• Best Blog By A Female
• Top Photographer
•Best Picture In Photo Album
•Best Blog Design
•Best Opera Blog
•Biggest Opera Fan
•Most Helpful Opera Forum Member


I am certainly not saying that I am good enough to be nominated in all of these categories. For example, there are FAR better photographers out there than I am. I'm aware of this. I would like to get the best chance I can, though, of being recognized for all the hard work I really have put in.

I am sorry if I'm coming off as really pathetic here. I'm just opening myself up and allowing you to see inside of me and how I'm feeling. I know a lot of people will think something like, "Get a grip"…or whatever. That's fine. I am entitled to my feelings, though….and like I said, I desperately want to win one…just one of these categories. It'd mean so much to me!

Thanks so much to all of you who already have voted for me. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. :love: To those of you who have yet to place your nominations - please keep me in mind. That's all I ask. :heart:

88 comments

Blog Action Day

Friday, 5. September 2008, 17:46:06

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I will be participating in Blog Action Day this year.  I thought I'd post something about it now so that people who've not heard of it yet will have time to really think things out and decide how they are going to participate. I think it would be awesome if we all pulled together on October 15th and do our best to make a difference. This year's topic is Poverty.

"Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters, and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.
First and last, the purpose of Blog Action Day is to create a discussion. We ask bloggers to take a single day out of their schedule and focus it on an important issue. By doing so on the same day, the blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses audiences around the globe on that issue. Out of this discussion naturally flow actions, advice, ideas, plans, and empowerment. In 2007 on the theme of the Environment, we saw bloggers running environmental experiments, detailing innovative ideas on creating sustainable practices and focusing audience’s attentions on organizations and companies promoting green agendas. In 2008 we aim to again focus the blogging community’s energies and passions, this time on the mammoth issue of global poverty.

If you would like to register your blog, simply go HERE and fill out the form. :D

47 comments

I Added A New Photo Album

Thursday, 17. January 2008, 05:54:08

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I finally got all of the pictures from the cemetery resized and posted. CLICK! I was really surprised at some of the things I saw there. Full meals on headstones? Never in my life had I seen that before...and I have been to at least 100 cemeteries in my life. Don't get me wrong - I think it's cool for people to do whatever it takes for them to feel at peace with things...I'm just not used to seeing some of this stuff.

Sadly, it was freezin' cold outside when my daughter and I went to the cemetery. I would have gotten shitloads more pictures if it were warmer. That's okay, though...it gives me something to look forward to!

On a side note, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I have an idea that I think is pretty cool, but Lonnie doesn't think it is. Oh well...I stick by my ideas no matter what. Let me run it by you, though, and then you can tell me what you think, Mmmkay?!...

I'm thinking that it'd be really cool to start a service for people who need some help showing that they care. There are so many people who live far away from the graves of their loved ones...and SO many people who simply cannot make it to the cemetery to show their respects as they would like to. What if there was a service in which these types of people could sign up to have someone visit the grave sites of their loved ones and place flowers for them? That way the person would feel good knowing that they reached out as they'd like to be able to. The person placing the flowers could then take a picture of the flowers by the headstone and deliver it to the person requesting the service. That way they get to see their flowers there in the cemetery and feel good about what they've done.

That is my idea. Lonnie says that it's not practical and nobody would sign up for it. PEESHAW I SAY! I would absolutely LOVE to provide this service to people! It would make me feel SOOOOOO good to know that I'm helping someone to have inner peace and feel happiness in place of guilt. *sigh* I realize that I'm a dreamer, but come on! I cannot be the only one who would like to do this for people, can I? :frown: And if I am, what does that say about the world we live in? :cry: (Or does it just say that I'm freakin' insane? :left: )

ANYWAY...go check the pics out. They're not the best pics on the face of the planet, but not too bad considering the fact that I was shivering and shaking like Michael J. Fox in a freezer! :eyes:

EDIT: The big doo-doo head, LC, just informed me that cemeteries already offer that type of service, so never mind. :frown: I guess Lonnie really was right. Worse yet - I was wrong! :cry:...

47 comments

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