Obsessing endlessly about myself and the mess of my life is exhausting and so boring! Probably the most powerful thing I have learned about life is that when I feel low, I need to find someone else who is having trouble and just be there for them. I learned this in a twelve step program and it shocked me how well it works. This practice of getting out of myself by being of service to others is the best antidote I have found.

I like animals better than people so I started volunteering in an animal shelter. Anything that moves me out into the world is a good step and the animals really need and appreciate me. It is the most genuine gift I have to give. It counts.

People told me that I should volunteer somewhere to ‘give back’ but I am totally cynical about charity and the whole ‘helping others’ thing. I help myself by giving something freely away. I do volunteer at the food bank. It’s as good for me as it is for the people who use it.