Apologize and Encourage

Today a customer apologized for being a jerk to me a couple weeks ago. I was shocked and caught off guard as this never happens, but it was the encouragement that I needed for the day. Each day holds a small glimmer of sunshine that needs to be held onto tightly. Or if it doesn't I somehow need to create my own glimmer. I need to remember to be a glimmer of sunshine for others as well.  Sunday, I also received some much needed encouragement from my boss. The apology and encouragement remind me how important these two things are in our lives, especially at work and in relationships. I need to remember to be encouraging and thankful always and apologize when needed. When I am stressed I tend to get really short and to the point with people. I am also working on not letting my stress show, or better yet not getting stressed about things at all, but just taking them as they come. I have a feeling this will be a lifelong process. But my stress level has gone down recently, even when things aren't going well. May it continue. 

Toledo Zoo

We went to the Toledo Zoo for my birthday. Our favorite parts of this zoo trip were the elephants. We enjoyed watching the mama elephant with her baby and also enjoyed watching an elephant eat a whole watermelon! It was interesting to hear one of the zookeepers talk about the elephant eating the watermelon because the zoo rescued him from an abusive owner. Before arriving at the zoo the elephant was a part of a small thrown together circus and lived on a diet of skittles and donuts. He was also abused by his owner's wife with a pitchfork and arrived caked in feces. :-/  He is on a much better diet now, has gained a lot of weight and they have helped him develop muscles that he was never able to develop while living in a small cage.

Next I want to go to Binder Park Zoo to see the baby bear cubs!