helping others helps yourself

Helping Others Helps You Declining standards of living and continuing exportation of our jobs have resulted in rising stress levels for all Americans. This results in negative effects on our well being mentally, physically and emotionally. Some people try to reduce stress levels by using alcohol and drugs. Some overwork themselves, causing mental breakdowns. The pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars a year from sales of tranquillizers, anti-depressants, barbiturates, and amphetamines. We know we must learn to control stress in safer, saner, and healthier ways. So we read about Yoga or Aromatherapy. We think about taking stress-management courses. We try to get more exercise and fresh air. We check for preservatives and other additives in our foods, and stock up on multi-vitamins. All are useful and worthwhile ideas, but all of these things will never replace the feeling that humans receive when we help others in need. Helping other people makes you feel good about yourself. It is a huge confidence booster. When I was staying with my grandma in California for the first few weeks all I did was lay around and not really do anything but tend to the small garden I had started. When I was on the computer one day I stumbled across the website for REINS, a therapeutic horsemanship program. They are run out of Fallbrook California. They are a 501 non-profit. They have a wide range of highly trained horses and over 200 riders with a range or disabilities. The more I read about REINS the more I thought that I wanted to use all my spare time working with the horses and riders. That same night I talked to my grandma about working with them so I had something to do. The next day I was ready to start. As we pulled into the dirt drive I could feel the anticipation bubbling up inside of me. I was so excited to work with the kids and the horses. But as usual I had a few formalities to take care of. The