For some people, recognition from others is all that’s needed and nothing more. They need only to know that they’ve helped another, their satisfaction being more so intrinsic, and oftentimes self healing.

Volunteerism is the giving of time and effort without monetary compensation. Choosing to volunteer is a personal decision that can have many positive rewards, such as a realization of self worth and personal achievement. Choosing to make time for volunteer work will benefit both those who are being served and the volunteers themselves. From seeing volunteer efforts achieve a goal to feeling good about participating in a selfless act, everyone involved in volunteerism benefits.

There are many different programs, events, activities, and organizations sponsored and supported by Branch 36 and its members. Contact your shop steward, Branch 36, or check for postings and mailings. Give graciously of yourself and of
your time; GET INVOLVED!

Remember, Most of us have needed help with something at some point in our lives.

My prayers go out to the family and friends of those individuals who were affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Peace be with you all.

Our lives have become so hectic and stressful that we spend too little time with the people we love. Our friends, our family, are the bread of life. Even in today’s world where it seems as if we could survive without ever talking to another human being, they are important to our well-being. For those of us that are not blessed with a large extended family, it is important to cultivate close friendships. How do we determine who is a friend? Many people guess that it is the ability to communicate that determines the quality of a friendship. The best kinds of friends are the ones that you share good times with. A friend who can make you laugh is worth a handful that can’t. So often we walk around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. When the chips are down, these are the people that we can count on.

Often when you have a friendship that has lasted a long time, you continue to share memories of humorous interactions that you shared. Having humor in your life is not just a matter of experiencing a good time, it’s also a matter of living longer. This may be the glue that holds a friendship together. It is a difficult thing to predict and yet there are some friends that we have fun with almost every time we get together. Fun is the key factor in a lasting friendship.

People come into our lives disguised as angels, and sometimes, angels come into our lives disguised as people. Having friends that inspire us to rise to higher and greater levels is an awesome gift. Surround yourself with people that inspire you to do better and inspire your friends as well. It is a profound truth that the people we hang out with will shape the path that we travel. These are the people who are not related to us by blood, but care for us as if they were.

As we celebrate the holiday season, let us give thanks for a wonderful family and good friends.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

If you truly want to foster mutual respect with people who may be hard to get along with, you are going to have to set aside time to be with that person, work with that person, talk with that person. You might have to grit your teeth now and again but in the end you will gradually start to realize that their personality or point of view isn't that hard to get along with after all.

In my opinion, patience, is a combbation of empathy and selflessness. It is about other people, which is why patience is such a hard virtue to master; after all, who wants to spend time thinking about other people when we are so busy with our personal lives. The truth is that the best people, the smartest people, and the most successful people, take a good long look at other people and express empathy and selflessness,

Sincerity is also very important, a person who is simply going through the motions of being selfless will simply appear to be a fake if he or she doesn't show sincerity.

Listening is also one of the greatest manifestatibns of respect. Even if you think the ideas of a co-worker or acquaintances are way off the mark, listen carefully to what he or she is saying and then ask questions that truly make you curious,

If you laugh with others, you can relax, and when you relax and help others to relax as wen, more effective communication takes place every second. Take time to analyze your opponents sense of humor and be patient with him or her. Try to find common interests, or laugh about experiences.that you've already had together without using humor that he or she might find offensive.

Once a person trusts you and starts to show you respect, it doesn't mean you will have his or her respect.for a lifetime. In order to maintain mutual respect you have to be honest with that person even when it is extremely uncomfortable for you. If you are honest, you will become better at everything you do and others will crave your mutual respect.

You might determine that you are a husband, girlfriend, parent or employee. What kind of person you are is determined not by any of those things. It is determined by the qualities that make you up as a human being. Now what's inside depends upon what you choose. You have the ability to be loving or hateful.

You can choose to hold a grudge or be forgiving. It's your choice. You are responsible for who you are.

You have the choice every moment of every day if you want to share who you are with others or keep it to yourself.

Are you really doing what you want with your life? Are you doing something that brings you joy and fulfillment? If not, why? It's never too late to change. There may be situations in your life that would make changing challenging, but you are the only one who can take the first step. Change is possible, set your goal and begin working toward it. Set the picture of your success in your mind. Follow through with the right action for its accomplishment; you can't go wrong, and you'll be a better person for it. There are many opportunities as you can imagine. You simply have to choose. You are best served if you never believe that opportunity has passed you by. Wherever you are at this point in your life, know that many opportunities are there, and you also have the ability to create your own.

Begin today, trust your voice, and follow through on what it's telling you. You will have made one of the best friends you could possibly have. Remember you may not be used to listening and trusting yourself, but it takes practice, practice, practice, so keep at it.

So stop what you're doing, stay seated where you are and close your eyes. Keep them closed for a couple of minutes and concentrate, once you begin to feel at peace, you're almost there.

Now that you're at peace, open your eyes and embrace this feeling for a moment. Know that this is who you are. This is your life. Nobody can make it what you don't want, except you. So when you felt you really hadn't made a difference in this world, consider all you have to give.

You are now in control!
PERSEVERE!

The flu, which began in or around February 2009, was not clinically identified until April 2009. The virus which was first detected in the Mexican states and Mexico City and has now spread all over the world. There have been an estimated 49 cases in New York alone and the numbers continue to grow.

Although symptoms of the (SIV) are common with the seasonal flu, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden dizziness may occur more often than the occasional seasonal flu. There is no way to tell if you have this flu or not, but if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headache, chills, body aches, and other ailments, please contact your doctor immediately and get tested.

As letter carriers, we come in contact with many objects and items daily; wear gloves when in contact with mail, letter trays, buckets, post cons, and all other postal equipment. If you choose not to wear gloves, a bottle of antibacterial.hand sanitizer should be with you at all times. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose, because the (SIV) survives on surfaces for hours at a time. Wearing gloves and using hand sanitizer is also beneficial outdoors as well be cautious when handling door handles, doorknobs, doorbells, collection and mailboxes.

While out in the street delivering, avoid individuals who cough and sneeze without using a tissue or wearing a mask. Also, if you come across anyone who seems . sick, politely excuse yourself without being insulting. Since allergy season as well, it will be hard to distinguish between the two, please use caution.

Those individuals with small children and elderly in their care, take extreme caution. The (SIV) is more harmful to them: Give your children a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use during school and instruct them to wash their hands before and after snacks and lunch. If your child comes home with a cold or has any flu-like symptoms, contact a physician immediately; anyone who is taking care of an elderly relative, or friend, monitor them constantly.

Anyone who does contract this virus the earlier you treat it the better; avoid contact with co-workeys or family members and use a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
For questions and information on the Swine Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu general info.htm. http://www.nyc.govhtrnl/doh/htmVcd/cdinflu.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333 * 800-CDC-LNFO * (800-232-6348) 24 Hours/Every Day cdcinfo@cdc.gov