Expand Your Horizons and Get Out of the Box

Over the weekend, I participated in O'Toole's Harley-Davison's demo ride weekend.  This means that if you have a motorcycle license and can ride a bike, you are entitled to sign up to test ride any 2013 model Harley for free.  I ride a 883 Sportster Low which is a very nice bike but it was time to get 'out of the comfort zone' and try something different.  So, I took off my little girl sissypants and put the big girl panties on and rode Soft Tails.  Wow, what a difference the center of gravity made.  These motorcycles are heavier, have more muscle and are bigger overalll, but just so elegant to ride.  Curves were easy-breezy and turning them 90 degrees was just so effortless. Afterward, when I rode my own little Sportster, I found that I was handling it better than ever.  The little Sportster used to make me a little nervous, but after riding the bigger Soft Tails, me and my little bike are best friends.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: It takes a bit of courage sometimes to get to where you'd like to be or enjoy certain experiences.  Pull up your boots, put the big pants on and sink your teeth into a challenge.  You'll be surprised that your consternation of the unknown is usually unfounded.  I had some great rides, I'm hooked on those Harley Soft Tails, but now, me and my little Sportster have become best-est buddies.  A special thank you to O'Toole's for giving me such a wonderful experience and sharing their fleet of Harleys.

Small Acts of Kindness Create Big Smiles

Hurricane Irene did tremendous damage to the lower Catskill region of New York.  Stories of neighbors and strangers coming together to help the people who were affected by this massive storm touch our hearts.  I have my own story to share.  It's small and insignificant, but heart warming none-the-less:  I tried to protect my little flower cart as best I could by sheltering it from the winds we thought we would have gotten.  Unfortunately, it was the water that affected all of us.  My little cart was half immersed in water.  We had put all the flower pots inside the dealership and I mentioned to the crew to just put them out on the lawn after the storm.  I figured these hanging plants would somehow survive this type of disruption...hopefully....
A week after the storm, I pulled up to the dealership and a huge smile filled my face and my heart was filled with enormous emotion.  Three members of the crew had taken my flowercart from the flooding pool it had been in, they cleaned it off and placed all the flowering plants back into the cart.  The pretty little cart was back in its spot in front of the store; looking happy and bright as ever.  Appreciative thanks and hugs were given to these three people, who cared enough for me, for beauty and for the happiness that little cart has brought to so many people.  This is what true friendship is.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Do something to bring a smile to someone's face today.  No matter how small or insignificant it might seem, it really does make a huge difference to another person.  I can't wait till they see the mums I'm planting in the flowerbed for the fall!  A burst of color we shall all have!