Everything Does Happen For a Reason

I have been MIA since I caught a summer cold a few days ago. I have been thinking about how the choices we make affect our lives. Recently I re-discovered that I enjoy writing and wanted to pursue it as a possible career. This was a change from the corporate customer service-oriented jobs I've had over the last few years, which were personally very unrewarding. I started out as a reporter for a college newspaper years ago and soon became a regular feature writer. I loved everything about the experience and the reward was seeing my name in the byline and knowing it was my own hard work that was there for all to see. I felt that my work made a difference to someone and gave something for people to think about. My mark was there and I wasn't nervous about criticism or negative feedback. After graduation I looked for work as a writer at different publications in my area. I got a job at a weekly newspaper and became a staff writer immediately. It was a good place for me to hone my craft, however I was too unfocused at that point in my young career. I needed to spend more time learning from my editor and about the workings of the newspaper. Finally my editor sat me down for a talk. She had provided feedback to me before so I knew that she really liked some of my features. However, she looked at me as a lost cause. She stated that I wasn't cut for being a reporter and suggested that I try my luck in the customer service field.

I don't think I realized until years later how her words affected me. I was very impressionable at that point and her words crushed my spirit. I gave up writing right then and packed my portfolio to the back of my closet. I think that looking at any of it would painfully remind me of a chance that I threw away. A few months later I was working at a financial institution as a customer service representative. I had literally taken my former editor's words to heart, even hearing myself say that I was done with writing so that my current employer would take me seriously that I wanted to answer questions with customers on the phone. I gave up what I had truly enjoyed. Then another piece of my life was falling into place without my realizing it. I had met my future husband who has helped me realize that my dream of writing was not lost. I had lost my positive energy from all those years ago but that I could dust off the clips I had saved for prosperity and begin a new chapter. I could write for me and develop my craft again. So this is where my choices have brought me. Right where I belong and being true to myself.

Yoshi

Dogs are great company and very loyal. They enjoy playing with you and they wait excitedly for you as soon as they hear your car turn the last corner before your house. They protect your home and guard their owners. My dog, Yoshi, who is a two-year-old Shiba, embodies these qualities and more. The Shiba Inu breed originated in Japan as a hunter for small game such as rabbit. I see this tendency when my dog goes absolutely crazy if there is a rabbit in the backyard. Luckily for the rabbit, he knows to flee the scene before Yoshi has a chance to snatch him up in his mouth! He wasn't trained for hunting game but I think his previous generations have impacted him a little!


One of the best things about my dog is his playfulness, which is a common trait in most Shiba Inus. He will enjoy catching a ball but he doesn't give it up too easily because he loves being chased around to see if someone will catch him. Another trait that I admire is his loyalty and affection which is only reserved to his owners and his family, as he is very indifferent to those to have not earned his respect.