Rosestink thank you! So glad I didn't chicken out about my post.

You've given me some food for thought. I do have too many interests so 2 or 3 sounds like a good number to stop at. I wouldn't want to burn out.

I particularly love the group fundraising for another group idea. My DH belongs to a number of dirt bike clubs I see an anniversary fundraising meal in one of their future. They need a better image so I'm sure they can be convinced!

Never sure whether self improvement is good or bad in today's world. I just would like to be less anxious and those techniques help me. Not looking to make millions so that's not the kind of improvement I mean. Not that you said anything like that. :) Thank you for your reply.

A couple of years ago I took an 8-week mindfullness meditation course. I wanted to learn more about it, and enjoyed it very much.

Where I lived previously, our YMCA had an extensive community education program from everything from financial planning, wine tastings, crafts, outdoor pursuits, and fitness classes that were short term.

I am lucky that I get to go to a lot of conferences through work, so they invigorate me and I enjoy learning new things. Some might just be a day conference, or some might be multi-day.

Is there something that you can do to improve your community? We have a community health coalition and we work on things like walking, biking, and supporting the farmers market and local foods, gardening, and farming. Although most of us on the committee do this as part of our jobs, we have community members who have an interest in these areas, too.

Yeonassky, what a beautiful question. Yes, I continue to take classes whenever I get the chance - all kinds. At one class we were asked to find a quote that best describes your outlook on life. This was mine and I continue to keep it close at hand when I get stressed with all the things I could do to help the world:

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what make you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Harold Whitman

Love the quote. Thanks so much for liking my post.

I have a great deal of difficulty narrowing down my "alives" In other words I love technology that saves lives and I love humane treatment of animals and I love psychiatry and psychology that support ill people. The list is long and I'm constantly reading about all these things. With the choosing of 2 to 3 ideas I can start somewhere, anywhere and do the chosen 3 and switch it up when that work is done. :).

Right now I want to help with bicycles for girls so they can get to school ...

and supporting the underwater work of scientists trying to save sea life in a warming sea. Not sure how to do this.

Also locally I want to in some way help our indigent and indigenous populations achieve better health. Through financial donations, I think. There are lots of good things to help with.

I've always been too sick before and too all over the map lately. Now I have the ability health wise and a plan. Thanks for taking the time and effort to answer. Very much appreciated. :)

FWIW some of my random Ted talks that wake me up. :)

Heal hearts without surgery

TED talk chronic fatigue syndrome

Ted talk wish ocean work

ultra sound tremors fibroids etc

I'm taking French lessons.

I am also thinking about giving a TEDx talk, if I can get organized enough to prepare an abstract to submit.

I've already acted on one of my plans and am happy to be finally contributing in some small way. After asking around I found out that it's best to help with an emergency situation.

I've given my first $$ to an downtown organization that is helping with our opioid crisis. I asked lots of questions and did tons of research and chose an on the ground group. They help the actual community most at risk and need $$ for peripherals such as food. They receive the drug antidote kits that save lives but the money is never there to help many of the hungry people particularly. I would love to give the people the money directly but they don't spend it on food...

That's great!

I forgot to mention I am part of a pilot participant in a certificate series on local food systems. It is super interesting so far!

Thank you gsciencechick! Who knew giving away money would feel like I accomplished something BIG. :9)

Please tell me more about your pilot role. If you're allowed and wish to. :) I'm interested.

Years ago I attended the Dale Carnegie Course. It was paid for by my company. It covered the book "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." I've referred to the book several times when I was worried about something.

Discover how to:

1. Eliminate fifty percent of business worries immediately.
2. Reduce financial worries.
3. Avoid fatigue—and keep looking you.
4. Add one hour a day to your waking life.
5. Find yourself and be yourself—remember there is no one else on earth like you!

The course also covered public speaking. I won the class award for Most Improved, which shows you how bad I was to begin with LOL.

Part of the zillion things I do for my job is organizing a regional food policy council, so one of the local cooperative extension services is wanting to offer this online certificate series on local food systems. So, I am one of the first people to go through the course since I can give some feedback on organization and content. So, I've completed one of the modules out of what will be 6-8. It's super interesting!

It sounds like it was worth it to you to do that Dale Carnegie course LucyStar1. I'd love not to worry about finances! Actually all of those things sound worth it to learn.

gsciencechick, it does sound interesting and also sounds like the course went well. I'm sure your feedback will even make it work better. :). It's great that buying local food is becoming more the norm. Better for us nutritionally and environmentally. Something like the certification can only strengthen things. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of your exciting and never stressful job. ;)

I went on a retreat at a mindfulness center and really enjoyed it. I have another one schedule for June for a 3-day retreat...on the beach. How bad could it be?