Coffee Break with the Barista
August 2009
The verdict is in — our readers have voted overwhelmingly to keep the name, Java Journal.
If you’re new to Java Journal, in the last issue we asked our readers
to help us create a new name that more accurately reflects what we’re
about — personal growth and positive community awareness, and hopefully
a positive experience like relaxing with a cup of java. Some people
still think we’re about coffee, but the vast majority of readers voted
to keep our name as it is. And so it is — Java Journal. Thanks to everyone who wrote in with comments.
I
was in my twenties when Vic Tanny was the hottest place in St. Louis to
get a good workout. Cher was its spokesperson and its marketing
campaign was build on the words, “The hardest part is getting started.”
I believe those words are true.
I’ve been an
exerciser for the majority of my life, but I’ve also experienced
exercise drought, usually beginning in winter when I just wasn’t
willing to put on my running shoes and hit the pavement when
temperatures dipped below 50 degrees. Five months of no running served
to kick my running habit.
So there I was, out of
the habit of exercise, waiting for motivation to arrive. It never
arrived. No longer did I yearn for the burn of running up the hills in
my neighborhood or lifting the weights in the corner of my family room.
It required that I make a rational decision to do what I didn’t feel
like doing.
But the upside is this — it only takes
a week or two to get back into the habit of making time to exercise.
And once the habit is established, motivation arrives. It always does.
If, like me, you’ve fallen out of the habit, just remember that the
hardest part is getting started. Start small if you’d like, but get
started.
To help you, on page 10 are some suggestions for
creating an exercise program for yourself. If you’re fortunate enough
to hire a personal trainer, fantastic. If not, join a fitness center
where you will receive help and encouragement to stick with it. But all
you really need to get started is a pair of sneakers and comfortable
clothing. Don’t think about it—just do it!
For as long as I
can remember I’ve been an animal lover. Mostly due to my brother who
had quite a collection of reptiles in the basement of our home, I came
to love not only furry animals but reptiles as well. He had a Boa
Constrictor, various other snakes, turtles, lizards, fish, frogs, toads
and more. And we always had a dog.
Over the years
my love for animals — all animals, even the tiny mice that I encounter
in the hay stacks at the rescue ranch where I volunteer — has grown. I
have two dogs, Dog E. Dane and Baxter Boy, and I often wonder who
benefits more from our relationship — the dogs or me. I feel the same
way about volunteering at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo., where
I clean stalls, feed animals and perform various other ranch tasks.
One might think it’s crazy to drive more than 50 miles one way
to scoop poop for hours. The truth is I’m fortunate to have the
opportunity to serve our animal friends. My dream since I was a little
girl is to live on a farm. While I haven’t yet acquired my farm, I have
managed to satisfy my desire to be with farm animals while at the same
time doing something I feel is important — giving a little to abused
and neglected animals.
On page 14 is a story I’ve
written about a typical day of volunteering at the Humane Society of
Missouri Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. Every day that I spend there
increases my love and understanding of animals. If you’re not an animal
lover, you might not want to spend time reading it. But if you love ’em
like I do, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I love to get mail — email and postal mail — from Java Journal
readers. If you have a thought that you’d like to share, shoot me an
email or mail a note. If there’s something that you particularly
enjoyed reading, let me know. And if in some way we’ve missed the mark,
I’d like to hear about that, too. You can reach me at
info@javajournalonline.com or at (314) 894-3655. Welcome to this issue
of Java Journal. Let me know what you think.
Kindly,
Marian Rein