The Furball

Showing Appreciation

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
- Margaret Cousins

I want every day to be a new adventure, and every person to be a new friend. When I set out from my home on Elshimo Island to become an adventurer, I vowed to myself that I wanted people to like me, and that I would make lots and lots of new friends.

Lately I’ve been thinking about showing people your appreciation, and taking the time to show them that you value their efforts. I wrote an entry about encouraging people a few years ago, and it’s never been a better time to start to be honest.

My favorite job has always been White Mage. White Mages have the pleasure of teleporting people when they need to get somewhere, tend the wounds of weary adventurers and raise the unfortunate ones. Some have become my close friends, and some have helped me in countless ways. I’m eternally grateful for the things they have done.

Showing people your appreciation is easy. A simple thank you is all it takes. Yet no one really takes the time to thank others for their hard work. Some, especially those in the east, show their appreciation for even the little things, like getting a teleport. You are an awesome Red Mage, thank you for keeping me refreshed! Just a simple line like that is enough to put a smile on someone’s face. Sure, it may be “their job” to keep you refreshed, but show them that you appreciate them helping you.

Take a moment to think about how someone you know have helped you. Maybe they gave you a valuable item once, or just cast Silena on your for the 108th time. Thank them for being a good friend. I’m not saying you should send them 108 tells, thanking them for casting Silena on them though.

Imagine how encouraged people would be if you took the time to thank two or three people every day.

Random Acts of Kindness

See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.
- Helen Keller

Good girl, I told my chocobo, as we rode through the Sauromugue champaign. Her eyes gleamed with satifisfaction, enjoying the good weather. The sun was shining and the sky was blue as far as the eye could see. She khewed as I petted her neck and saying kind words. And although I was in a hurry, I couldn’t help but share my chocobo’s cheerfulness.

I was on the way to Port Jeuno to catch an airship, and had but a few minutes left before it was supposed to depart. Suddenly, as I passed a group of yagudos, I noticed something lying on the ground up ahead. I made my chocobo slow down, and we walked toward the obstacle. It seemed to be a tarutaru that had gotten knocked out in battle.

I got off my chocobo and quickly raised the tarutaru, praying that his wounds would disappear and hoping for a quick recovery. Other adventurers gathered around me as I raised the tarutaru, helping him get up on his feet. The tarutaru bowed to me and thanked me for having taken the time to raise him.

I didn’t make it to the airship in time and I had to wait for the next one. But having helped a fellow adventurer was more meaningful to me than to just run off selfishly.

Random acts of kindness can mean the world to those in need. The act itself costs so little, yet helps so much. Take a moment to stop and help a fellow adventurer in need, heal their wounds, help kill a powerful monster they would otherwise have no chance to win against—or donate an old piece of equipment that you no longer need. Support your fellow crafter by giving some of the crystals you’ve gotten in a recent party instead of littering the streets of Vana’diel.

Wild Wild Whiskers

One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.
- Robert A. Heinlein

The sun was about to set as me, Hitz and Biscuits were about to enter the battlegrounds of Balga’s Dais. An eery wind swept over the mountain range — I knew something bad was about to happen. I preyed for my ancestors’ blessings as Hitz sat down on his knees and took out his moon orb. The glowing circle responded by flashing and giving an evil, but warm sensation. Suddenly, wave of energy engulfed us before we were transported inside the battlegrounds.

«Phew! Can’t get used to that,» I said to the other two, as I brushed off some sand that had blown toward us as we got sucked into the arena. Hitz responded by laughing; «Well, let’s just hope lady luck is with us tonight!»

I covered my two linkshell friends in a magical protective shell before we approached the coeurl, Macan Gadangan. Macan roared loudly, marking his territory. We had clearly walked into his turf, and he was not happy. The coeurl charged at us, but quickly blinded by Hitz who was our ninja for the night.

I cast silence on Macan to stop him from casting any nasty spells, but he answered by petrifying Hitz instead. I quickly undid the attack by casting Stona, and we were back in the game again. Biscuits continued to shoot the giant catlike creature over an over, before dishing out some big numbers using barrage. Macan responded by swiftly putting Biscuits to the ground and knocking him out. «That never gets old,» Hitz snickered.

After raising Biscuits, things started to heat up. «Wait, what’s that,» I shouted to Hitz, as Macan’s whiskers began to twitch violently. He was clearly casting something, and I prepared a barrier spell to keep Macan from damaging our party heavily. The Burst he cast on us did no damage as it was deflected by Hitz’s shadows. «Come again,» Biscuits said, imitating some waitresses he had heard in a Bastokkan tavern.

Upon killing Macan, we found a treasure chest that he had guarded with his life. Hitz walked over and opened the chest, finding a Penitent’s Rope. It was Hitz’s loot as he had brought the orb, and I was happy for him since he had been hunting for this orb for a long time.

I’m actually hoping to do a few more runs like this with my linkshell, hoping that I can dispose of some of the many orbs I have… and I really need the gil!