hearts larger than hands
TRANSCRIPT
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 1
CREATING BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS
HEARTS LARGER THAN HANDS
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 2
CREATING BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE TO SAVE MORE ANIMALS
HEARTS LARGER THAN HANDS
The Animal Rescuer’s Personality our own drives us
dealism • Our vision to save ALL animals and the passion
to make it happen
ealism • your “hands-on” experience with animals and the
overwhelming facts that you must face/front lines
ensitivity • Intense feelings of love and concern, naturally
drawn to the animals with desire to save
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 3
A Rollercoaster of Emotional “Ups and Downs”
dealism • Passion vs. disillusionment
ealism ! Success, adrenaline rush vs. sadness,anger and guilt
ensitivity ! intense feelings of love & fulfillment vs.
nightmares, sadness & inability to find happiness
Our IRS Wants to say YES! When we say “yes” in the moment
• Our passion wins out over disillusionment (Idealism)
• The desire to make a difference wins out over feeling guilty for not helping (Realism)
• Feeling joy and peace of mind wins out over feeling sad and doubtful (Sensitivity)
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 4
Individual Signs of taking on Too much ! Emotional and physical well-being
deteriorates ! Personal and family life suffer ! We may decide to leave the field ! We turn off others to the idea ! Our animals feel our stress
Signs BODY MIND SOUL !"#$%&#%'%(#$)"#' !*&++,-'."%/%(01(*(2' 3"'14(&$5*('
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Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 5
Organizational Signs of Taking on Too Much
• In-fighting and excessive conflicts within
• High turnover, missed work, poor teamwork, low morale, not enough help, no time to eat!
• Visible stress on the animals –overcrowding, conditions
• Little growth and development of the organization –always behind
• Attracting less volunteers and help
Take the Self-Inventory
! Part I: Is your heart overflowing?
! Part II: Are your hands overloaded?
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 6
COPING STRATEGIES
1) LOOK 2) LIMIT 3) LET GO 4) LIVE
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. ~Henry Miller
You are here.
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 7
You did not create the problem, but are willing to help.
Kindness to animals is a societal responsibility.
Educate and encourage those who are asking for your help to stretch.
Stay Connected to Those Who Make Up the Bigger Picture
! Share ideas and resources.
! Recruit help.
! Work together –support each other.
! Conferences, Internet communication and help, e-mail groups, social networking
We are all in this together:
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 8
! Look to the stories of animals that have been helped and the positive changes everywhere
! Make reminders of your own experiences that have made a difference
Keep encouraging stories and positive people close at hand!
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 9
! Recognize and accept your unique strengths, stressors, and needs.
! Then set limits –even when they do not feel natural to you.
! Loving animals is 24 -7 for the rest of your life; so you must pace yourself. SLOW DOWN!
• Do we have the resources to handle all that is involved beyond that initial “yes” ?
• Have a growing and updated referral list and related help
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 10
Accept the Feelings That Come Along With the Limits
Accept your feelings. They will include guilt, sadness, frustration and anger. It is not easy.
Accept the need to discipline yourself to say “no” and keep within your limits.
Help each other Maintain Limits ! Make objective
observations and express concern
! Say what you need –then let go of the idea of changing them
! Encourage/plan self-care time together
! Build in breaks and support
! Offer understanding while maintaining your limits
! Distance yourself if necessary
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 11
• Of the “What ifs”
• We do the best we can with what we knew at the time and what we could handle
• Let the animal’s have their journey
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 12
! Let your journey unfold in its own way and time.
! Accept where others are on their journeys. Strive to understand. Let go of the need to change them-you cannot and it is not your job.
! Q-TIP
“Every man and woman who thinks simply and naturally cannot do otherwise than express love in ACTION – not only in behalf of human beings but also in behalf of all living things.”
~ Albert Schweitzer
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 13
“Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all
beings in the world.”
~Tao Te Ching
Make Space
! Leave some open time.
! Remove some of your own rules.
! Have non-animal time in your life.
! Sometimes “good enough” is enough.
! Put space between the demand (“attack”) and your response.
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 14
How to Make Space ! Sleep on it.
! Have a cup of tea or glass of water.
! Step away, go for a walk.
! Put the e-mail in “waiting to be sent” and then go back to it.
! Don’t check messages until you are ready.
! Just wait – let it be.
A Little Space Makes a BIG Difference
! Take an extra 2 minutes, sit down and eat your bagel
! Rest ! Laugh ! Be “thought” less. “Is this
thought really necessary right now?”
! Mind space gives creativity & problem-solving ideas a chance to flow
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 15
Gifts of Self-Care ! You are more enjoyable
to be around ! You will attract more
people & help ! Things will flow more
easily ! Positive energy matters ! You will live another day
to help the animals
When you are replenished, you are open to the gifts that come back to YOU!
Personal strength and growth Mystery and awe Life changes & lessons from the animals Lots of LOVE
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 16
Look, Limit, Let Go and Live by Felix the Cat
Felix accepted his new journey at age 20 He took care of himself Full body hugs & wet sneezes Peacemaker Welcomed clients in between naps and snacks Seniors rock!
Hearts Larger Than Hands: Find Your Balance in Life to Save More Animals – Linda Harper & Faith Maloney
No More Homeless Pets National Conference October 21-23, 2011 17