The best places I have visited or lived at are those places where people around you are speaking all sorts of different languages. It is good to have multiple perspectives and to learn about cultures outside your own. The more I live, travel and meet people from outside my own culture, the more I realise there is far more that unites us as humans than what divides us.
Death, taxes, and laundry come for us all. Rather than spending our lives anxious and afraid to what might happen, perhaps consider just not worrying about it. If you live your life afraid of what might happen, then you will miss out on amazing and wonderful experiences, making meaningful connections with other and living a fulfilling life.
Sometimes it’s the little things in life. A good meal shared with loved ones, a familiar, comfortable, even quirky place to meet up at or return to can help make life a bit fuller and more joyful.
It’s cold out there. Make sure that you and your goats dress appropriately. Thank you to my partner for this photograph of a couple well prepared goats from Varanasi, India.
Goats are social animals, much like humans, and enjoy being around the company of others. Although sometimes solitude is nice and can be healing, other times it is good to reach out and find someone to hang out with. I hope if you are reading this that you had a marvelous weekend and a wonderful week ahead. 
Today is the first new moon of the decade. A new moon is kind of an opposite of a full moon, so sometimes it may appear as though there is no moon on the evening of a new moon. It is considered the first lunar phase, and is the point in which the moon and the sun are closest in ecliptic longitude, but not so close that it causes a solar eclipse. In astrology, which of course is not scientific but can be fun anyways, this new moon rises in the sign of Aquarius – a zodiac sign and constellation that represents (amongst other things) rebellion. New moons typically represent fresh starts, and due to the unique position astrologically of this new moon maybe it will inspire you to unleash your inner rebel and take up an awesome cause. As we can all see from the headlines, perhaps the world is in need of some collective, rebellious and revolutionary energy.
Have you noticed that you might be feeling a bit down this week? Well, don’t worry, that’s actually totally normal due to the lack of sunlight due to shorter days, longer nights and generally grey weather that blocks out the sun. Although “Blue Monday” was a clever marketing scheme, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real condition that effects many people during this time of year. It’s ok to feel lethargic and irritable – your body just might be craving more serotonin that your brain isn’t producing as much due to the lack of sun. If you do feel down, and notice that you typically feel down this time of year, take comfort in the fact you are not alone. Mental health professionals can help you cope with the winter through light therapy, talk therapy and other treatments. I find it helps to stay productive and try to get some movement in everyday.
Practice compassion – real, radical compassion every day at every opportunity. It will feed your soul and make the world around you a better place.
True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You never know what is around the corner. Will tomorrow be just another Monday or the start of something wonderful?
I would like to extend a huge thank you to JohnieSue, the owner and head of The Haven Zoo for letting me participate in her latest fundraiser to build a new goat barn. I especially appreciate her sending me photographs of our pals there, like Jim peeking out from behind a tree.
Our pals at The Haven Zoo need your help!
They have started an EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER
Their covered area for goats, llamas, and donkey was heavily damaged during a storm and they need a new roof structure as soon as possible. A generous supporter has offered to cover half of the expenses for the structure; however, they still need 700 USD.
Please consider sponsoring the donkey ($20), goats ($30) or llamas ($35) for 2020. All funds will go towards the new structure. If you are keen to sponsor these special animals and support their new shelter please click here.
If you can’t sponsor an animal, that is totally ok, any donation of $5 or $10 is a great step towards building via PayPal here. They have a contractor ready to go, so act fast!
So, for today, in addition to featuring Annie from The Haven, here is a photograph of Hutton, the llama, who got a bit wet during the rain!
Goat of the Day 