Biting The Hand That Feeds

This cute little guy is about nine weeks old and fits in the palm of my hand. He is one of nineteen cats residing at the San Diego Animal Rescue cattery. Each week I volunteer at the cattery and each week there are new faces to meet. I learned a lesson this week and want to share it with you.

Being a kitten this guy has loads of energy.  If you have ever watched a kitten jump and play you know how hysterical they are to watch. There was jumping, climbing, and bouncing off every wall and cage in the cattery.  Somehow during this acrobatic routine one small hind paw became caught between two cross sections of a wire cage. Hearing a shrill scream come from the caught kitten I immediately ran over to loosen his paw.

I picked up his body in my right hand as my left hand worked to undo the paw. Poor thing was so scared, hurt, and anxious that he didn't realize I was there to help him. His flight or fight instincts took over; he couldn't get away so he fought. This means he bit me. Not once, not twice, but three times. The whole event took less than ten seconds to transpire, but when it was over the kitten was loose and I owned three sets of puncture marks on my right hand. Don't let anybody tell you that kittens don't have sharp little teeth....they do! The kitten was fine and bounded away unfazed by the episode.

After taking care of my hand I sat with the kitten on my lap purring. I thought about what happened and realize I often do the same thing. How often in a situation where I am anxious, scared, or hurting do I push away those who want to help me because I can't see past the situation? The standard answers of "everything is fine" or "no, I don't need any help" come to mind. Why do I snap and "bite" at those family and friends who want to help me? My flight or fight instinct take over just like the kittens. I react before I take a deep breath and process the situation.

I learned a good lesson this week. The next time I find myself in a flight or fight situation I am going to try and not bite the hands that want to help me. On an end note the kitten has a new home and my hand is fine.

Sleep...What is the Magic Number?

Sleep.  My current self-help read tells me I need seven hours each night.  My body each morning tells me something different as I reach for my coffee cup.  How much sleep do we really need?  Is there a magic number that will have me springing from my bed? 

There is no "magic number" for individual sleep, but the general "rule-of-thumb" needs are courtesy of the Sleep Foundation:  Have a question about sleep?  Check out The Sleep Foundation for lots of great information.

I love to sleep in and play catch up on with my sleep, but it seems that might not be such a good idea anymore.  So having too much sleep can be a bad thing too. Who knew?

"... A key question is how much is too much or too little. Researchers Shawn Youngstedt and Daniel Kripke reviewed two surveys of more than 1 million adults conducted by the American Cancer Society and found that the group of people who slept seven hours had less mortality after six years than those sleeping both more and less. The group of people who slept shorter amounts and those who slept longer than eight hours had an average mortality risk that was greater, but the risk was higher for longer sleepers. Youngstedt and Kripke argue that for those who would normally sleep longer than eight hours, restricting their sleep may actually be healthier for them, just as eating less than one’s appetite may be healthier in a more sedentary society."

I am aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.  I will keep track and find my own "magic number" that gives me the best health and mood.  Once that number is found the secret is to schedule sleep and make it a priority.  Sleep is one of those activities I tend to cut when there is a time crunch.  Not getting enough sleep leads to all sorts of issues.  Adding sleep to my "to-do" list is a positive step for 2010.

Sunglasses To Buy or Not To Buy....That Is The Question.

Does purchasing a new pair of sunglasses cause you to break out in a sweat like it does me?  I've come to the conclusion that finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is alot like finding that perfect bra.  Once you find it you better buy more than one because you will never find them again.

My sunglasses are a pair that was left at work in the lost and found box for over a year. I decided to give them a new home and that was four years ago. They have served their purpose and with their bent frame, completely scratched left lens, they need retiring. I love my glasses. They fit perfect, look great, and hey they didn't cost me a thing.

While looking through the five carousels of sunglasses at Target this afternoon another woman pulled her cart up beside mine and started her quest to find the perfect pair. She stated, "Don't you just hate looking for new sunglasses?" I was not alone; somebody else hated searching for the perfect pair as much as I did! I asked what lead to her search and found that her 2-year old tried to see if sunglasses could fly by tossing them out the car window..while she was driving. A moment of silence was observed for the brave sunglasses and then our quest continued. I can't tell you how many sizes, shapes, and colors we both tried on...but in the end we both shrugged our shoulders and went our separate ways, sunglasses less.

The quest continues for a new pair of sunglasses.  I found a great article on what to look for in purchasing sunglasses.  You can find great information in this article How To Buy Sunglasses.  All the best on your quest may you find the perfect pair.