Getting Better All the Time

Going the Extra Mile for Animals and Others During the Holidays—and Every Day

By James F. Gesualdi

Start going the extra mile and opportunity will follow you.
—Napoleon Hill

Excellence is going the extra mile.
—Joyce Meyer

The Holidays Test, Rest, and Can Bring Out the Best in Us

Another holiday season is here. The season brings a frenzy of activity, thoughts, and sometimes stress. Marking the holidays we celebrate provides a break of sorts for most of us, but perhaps a bit less so for caregivers who are helping animals through a moment or day—although those moments and days can change their lives for the better.

When this commitment and dedication is manifested in the everyday good practice of doing a bit more or going the extra mile, challenges are things we encounter more constructively and effectively. Doing so makes our lives better and animals’ lives better—all by just going a little further to make a difference. Likewise, during the holidays, going a little further in giving of ourselves and being present is an excellent way to celebrate.

With the holidays upon us, here are a few evergreen tools from columns of years past that convey the right spirit for different holiday moments.

Feeling Overwhelmed by the Demands of the Season Amidst the Ongoing Responsibilities of Lovingly Caring for Animals

The Principles of Constructive Engagement

Think about ways in which you can improve, and how the situation can be used to help animals.
Make those ideas even better and put the best ones into a plan.
Take action.
Keep thoughts and actions focused on getting better and helping animals.
Be grateful that you can change yourself for the better and, in doing so, help animals.

Staying Grounded, Providing Perspective and Peace of Mind—An Enlightened Caregiver’s Creed

We appreciate and understand that people are concerned about the well-being of animals (whether in our care, in their native habitat, within other settings, and/or in our homes).
We share that concern and constructively act upon it every day.
We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to the well-being of the animals in our loving care.
While respectful of differences, the one difference we focus on daily is the positive difference we can make in the lives of animals—here and everywhere.
We thoughtfully consider any reasonable concern, and constantly review ongoing developments here and throughout the world, so as to continuously improve our service on behalf of animals.
We put proactive thinking into good practices as we change and innovate in ways that incorporate the best interests of the animals.

Joyously and Gratefully Reflecting on the Blessings Before You— An Earnest Reflection on the Truly Good Practice of Thanksgiving
(An audio recording of the Reflection is available here.)

Let us be ever thankful
for this very moment and each one in which we live.
May boundless gratitude always fill our hearts—
especially at those times we strain to see the good.
The good that is all around us, within us, and sustains us.
Our practice of thanksgiving is only ever now and more than a day.
From this lofty consciousness, we can seize the opportunities to bring greater good
and more light to our journey, together with the animals and each other.
As we move forward, let us seek to more fully understand the animals, people, and
world outside of ourselves, although connected to the essence of our being.
It is through such awareness and appreciation of our differences that we see anew the
oneness of all life.
This knowledge strengthens our resolve to gratefully serve animals and others. And
that is our reason for being here, and it is good.

Readying for the Year Ahead—The 12 Universal “Laws” Advancing Animal Interests, Protection, and Well-Being.

Respect for all life is the foundation.
We have but one heart, and all we do is interconnected.
Act in harmony with the good we seek for animals and others.
Treating each other with greater compassion, dignity, and respect leads to more people treating more animals with greater compassion, dignity, and respect.
“Life is consciousness.” (Emmet Fox)
“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” (Stephen R. Covey, with initial inspiration from St. Francis)
Honesty is the best policy.
Know what you are dealing with/speaking about, and communicate truthfully and as transparently as possible, given the circumstances.
Think constructively (with An Enlightened Caregiver’s Creed).
Transform challenges to make things better for animals (with The Principles of Constructive Engagement).
Rise above ego and differences: shift from being right to doing right for animals.
Do more than is required.
“Going far beyond that call of duty, doing more than others expect—this is what excellence is all about! And it comes from striving, maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest detail, and going the extra mile. Excellence means doing your very best. In everything! In every way.”
—Jack Johnson
Continuously improve your service to animals and others.
Do the right thing.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.

Understanding and Lighting the Fire from Within with a Guide to Transformational Changes—
Practicing Animal Law from the Inside Out

Selected excerpts from my recent publication, “Practicing Animal Law from the Inside Out,” American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Committee News, Animal Law Committee newsletter (Summer 2024). (Email me at jfges@aol.com for the complete article.)

“[R]aising consciousness changes people and that is then embodied in and reflected by the ‘lagging indicators’ we know as the law in agreements, court decisions, legislation, policy, regulations, and improvements that impact and save animals’ lives (and potentially people and environments, too, i.e., ‘One Health’).”

“[C]hange truly comes from within and it begins with us.”

“We are not alone. Invariably, we work with others.… Whatever the size and nature of an assemblage of people, each has its own values, attitudes, and overall culture.… Many times, these [groups’, organizations’, or community’s mission(s) and values] do not fully correspond to the published or stated mission(s) or values. Knowing this is essential to creating change internally for better results for animals both internally and externally.”

Good-Hearted Readers Committed to Excellence, Rejoice!

We’re here for another year, and a new one ahead, so let us go further together—an extra mile or so. We’ll do our very best to do more good for animals and others as we make the most of ourselves and our time. All the best for the year ahead!

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
—Charles Dickens

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles.
—Washington Irving

When we embrace our togetherness, we recognize that what is possible depends not on you, not on me, but on us. A grateful perspective helps us reach out and invite people in because we understand that together we are the way forward.
—Joe Primo

This past year marked my 35th anniversary of practicing animal law, the 25th anniversary of my dad, Martin J. Gesualdi Jr.’s passing, and 25 years of my solo legal practice. Ever-flowing gratitude fills this heart for the many extra miles we have traversed together.