volunteerism

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.  Mahatma Gandhi

it's amazing to me that in our world full of all of this increasingly negative talk about the economy, people still always find a way to GIVE....especially to the causes that are dear to them.  if you really stop and look around, the number of ways in which we are asked to HELP others is endless.....and where each person draws that line is different.

now this is not a "go me" acknowledgement by any means - this is really just an indictment of A) my inability to say no and B) my totally uptight belief that i can get whatever it is done faster myself than if i asked for help.....but i do a lot of things for a lot of different people.....and when i look around, i realize that so do a bunch of other people i know....and its always those same people that offer to HELP.....we have a secret club named "sure, why not? we can't possibly say no to that"

so in the last 2 days, i've had 2 separate meetings about 2 different fundraisers.....for 2 VERY different causes -but the one things both meetings had in common was the ENTHUSIASM of the people involved....no one has any extra time, or money these days - but somehow taking on the responsibility to get something done or make something happen that will have a positive impact encourages people to MAKE the time.....we all just want to leave this place a little better than we found it....and i am finding that most people want to apply their TALENTS to the things they want to do.....and often those things are found outside of work.

Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love...
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

i believe the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well because we can SEE the difference that can be made....even if its small....and i believe we are ALL better for being involved....its the willingness to HELP that keeps us from looking inward all the time.....its a big picture generator.....and it starts young.....i think we just lose sight of it sometimes.  kids WANT to help.....and as they grow, they just need the opportunities to do it.....and it doesn't have to be earth shattering to make a difference- they can tutor, or help coach - walk dogs or pick up trash....anything that takes them outside of their little box and opens their eyes to something bigger.....so that as they grow, they understand that we are all a part of the larger community....and if it is within their means to help, they should.

how did i get on this tonight?  at my second meeting, i was talking with a friend, who if its possible takes on more ridiculousness than i do....she was the FIRST person to offer to help me - and of course will end up doing more than i ask....but it was her ATTITUDE that struck me - you see, she just WANTS TO HELP....no matter how challenging it makes her time, being able to help someone - to bring a little sunshine - is what drives her.....and i admire that!  because generally i feel like i help out because i CAN - i'm goal oriented and a master multi-tasker - therefore the perfect volunteer.....but its not like its been a PASSION for me, like it is for her.....and its that passion that makes the difference between obligation and joy.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else.
    Benjamin Franklin

 

i believe we all have a passion - and its finding how to use that passion to help others where true volunteerism happens.....i absolutely love that my best example of that is in josh - who at 8 decided we were not doing enough to help animals - so he wrote and illustrated a book, which we published and sold - so that he could donate the money to our local shelter.....THAT is passion.....and i hope he never loses it. 

so this blog tonight is dedicated to all those people out there i know who give their TIME to help....for stepping outside of themselves and looking at the bigger picture - trying to make their little space on the planet better - or just lifting up a friend in need.....you may never know the lasting impact you have, but know that the time you have given has created an outpouring of GOOD.....so the time was never wasted!!

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.  ~Maya Angelou