Risky Business

I live a comfortable life in a three story house with a puppy that is seriously the most adorable thing ever when he sleeps. I have a warm cozy bed with a down comforter and more outfits to choose from than I can even count. I live the good life. Would I risk everything I have in order to get a 4 story house with two adorable puppies, a full bed with a down comforter and even more high end clothing? Well, no. I would not. But it all depends on the chance of success. I would not risk all the wonderful things that I have if I could potentially end up with nothing.

It is much easier to take risks when you have nothing to lose, but is that really a risk? I would risk a penny in a heartbeat if I had the chance to get a quarter. I would be gaining 24 cents if I won, but only losing 1 cent if I lost. If my gain is bigger than my loss, its worth it to risk it. If not, then why bother? See this is where gambling becomes a problem. People cross the "too far" line before they even realize it. They factor in past luck to mean future luck, but that certainly is not the case. Just because my business card got pulled out of Potbelly's "Win Lunch for all your co workers" jar ONE time doesn't mean I'm more likely to win the next time. When risking, you have to be smart. Don't let the prize get the best of you.

I, personally, am not a huge risk taker. I walk slowly and carefully, I always check the odds of failure versus the odds of success. I want to live the best life I possibly can, and I have always felt I can do that best if I don't risk the wonderful things that I have. But is that really true? I'm not completely sure. My careful nature keeps me away from the exciting and dangerous sensation of risk.

I JUST LOVE HOLIDAYS

My mom's fantastically fantastic Santa collection was put up yesterday, the tree is up and lit, and the needle-point stockings are hung by the chimney. We have begun baking cookies of all sorts and the house smells of winter pine. Outside finally looks as though someone has taken white-out and drawn all over the city of Plymouth, Minnesota and its at the temperature that makes hair freeze if you go outside right after a shower. It's picture perfect.

I absolutely adore the holiday season because it's the one time everyone comes together and thinks of others instead of themselves. Argue with this all you want but it's true. Every other month is about what would look cute for yourself, what kitchen appliances you need, what you are gonna treat yourself to with your paycheck but December, December is a little different. People scurry from store to store searching and searching for the perfect gift for someone else. This is a really cool thing. People drop extra change in the buckets for the Salvation Army and almost everyone is in the holiday mood.

It's a time of selflessness, family, friends, and the things that really matter. People down cookies not worrying about holiday weight, the two biggest meals of the year occur during this time. Winter clothes aren't always cute, but do people really care? No, we live in Minnesota for goodness sake, whatever keeps frost bite away is the way to go.

What can I say. The holidays are the absolute best. I just hope my boyfriend gets me something good... :)

On Compassion

Its a day just like any other. Walking around the streets of New York to get to my particular destination. Shopping, an eatery, work, it all depends on the day. As I stand waiting for the light to illuminate the man walking, my eye become fixed on the man in raggedy clothing, dreadlocks, and a solemn look. He looked hungry, cold, and unhappy. I don't know how people survive like this, how they go off of nothing, literally running on empty.

I look at the man, clearly much less fortunate than I, and I decide to do my good deed of the day. I rummage through my purse searching for any bit of green I can possibly lay my eyes on. Quite honestly, he was creeping me out and I wanted to get away from the situation. I finally scrounge up a dollar bill and hurriedly hand it to the poor man. It takes him a while to finally understand my generous gesture, what did he think I was gonna kill him? Was I attacking his pride? None the less he accepted the dollar and we went on our merry ways.