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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
When I first read that quote from Margaret Mead, a feeling of empowerment came over me. The sense that my actions, my deeds, and my ability to gather others to step up and volunteer in our community was a truly overwhelming emotion. My moral character is that if I give my word that I will do something, I will do my best to keep my word. I believe that my words and actions are authentic. I don’t make a lot of money, in fact I live on a fixed income of a pension because I have cancer and am unable to work. Every dollar I spend, I plan in advance so I will not be caught short or off guard.
I don’t volunteer for recognition or accolades. Volunteering is a way to value what little I have and to make a difference in my community. My word is my bond, and if someone else gets credit for work that I have done, then so be it. I can sleep at night knowing that I have done my best to make life easier for another. Over the last few years, being in charge of numerous projects with little or no thanks has been OK, because of the fact that my pride was boosted when I helped someone in need.
In my volunteering experience, some people have not been kind on how some things were done. Nasty voice mails or emails have been received because some people feel the need to degrade instead of empower. On most days, I shrug it off and continue, my goal was and is to help a homeless person or another charity the best I can and not try to please one person, who has never stepped up to chair an event, or has promised something and not followed through.
When you join a group that one of it’s main goals is volunteering, then I only ask that your word be authentic and follow through with your commitment. A volunteer event was created because there was a need, and not showing up is not like not showing up at a happy hour. Someone is counting on you to be authentic and do what was promised. Things happen in life, we all have our own personal problems, but in the grand scheme of things, our problems pale in comparison to others. We all have hardships and burdens but all of us have things like Smart-phones, Laptops, a roof over our heads and food in kitchen. We have bad days, but we also have a warm bed to sleep in, and know that we are going to have a meal if we want one.
So I ask you; Are you authentic? Are you in a group for the title or bragging rights?
In life nothing is promised, but your word and actions mean something to someone.
Miriam
“Be kind to everyone,you never know what kind of battle they are going through” |
Is your word authentic?
04 Friday Nov 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
Chicas Latinas de Sacramento Blog 