Advent Theory

I have a large, comfy couch in my living room that I love to lounge on and watch TV with my dogs. But when my Lab/Collie mix, Java, turned 10, I noticed that she wasn’t sitting with me anymore because she would try to jump onto the couch from the floor, and just couldn’t make it all the way. The vet said that it was due to arthritis on her hips, not uncommon for dogs of that age. I didn’t want her to have to stay on the floor when my other dog and I were on the sofa, so I went out the very next day and purchased dog steps. They were just the snap-together kind with three dog steps, easy setup, and so worth it! Now, Java can simply climb the stairs up to the couch and cuddle with me without a problem. Both she and I are now very happy and cozy.

If I could do anything over I would make different choices regarding my college education.  First, I would have chosen a different career path to make me more marketable in the workplace.  I feel like my current field is to specified and makes it difficult for me to gain the confidence to apply for a variety of jobs in different fields.  I would have also educated myself better on my options for financing my education.  I am now stuck with an unnecessary amount of student loans and wish that I could go back and do this over.  Overall, I am happy with my decisions but if I could choose to do these things over I certainly would do so!

The hardest thing I have had to do is deal with my mom who has a mental illness.  This is an ongoing difficulty to deal with in my life and continues to top the list of the hardest thing that I have ever had to do.  Dealing with her emotional roller coasters truly puts my emotions to the test.  I strongly believe that dealing with a difficult family member has given me the tools to deal with many other difficult circumstances in my life.  Sometimes I am thankful that I have my patience tested regularly because it contributes to my positive attitude toward other things in my life.

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Throughout my life I enjoy doing many different things but my two favorite things are getting some great physical activity and engaging in social situations.  I think that these two things ultimately contribute to the health of the soul and are important activities to engage in on a regular basis.  The intensity of the physical activity is not as important as getting some kind of physical activity to pump some endorphins through the brain.  Social situations also help to pump endorphins as any kind of socialization truly feeds the soul and the brain.  My ideal day would include these two simple things: physical activity and social situations!