I guess I can let the cat out of the bag now. In 2013 I made a resolution that I did my very best to keep. it was kinda like Yes Man, the film. I chose to truly try to never deny anyone a request they asked of me. 2014 gave me a sense of self worth Ive never known. It was genuine. There was no trophy. No end game. I simply decided to open my eyes and ears to others more than I had in the past. Because of that I was a part of many experiences my kids got to witness. I was able to take my wife along on the ride without fully disclosing what I was up to. From donating time to Helping Hands to donating money and chills to ALS, my family was a part of making someone elses day a little brighter. It wasnt always some monumental moment like our building a Haunted House with some amazing people to raise money to help fight cancer or The MADD walk and speaking with the families that have truly made a difference with their testimonies about their own sacrifices and loses. Often it was just replying to a text, a message or a call from those both close to me and those that I have since grown close to after doing nothing more than listening. Fund raisers to help kids beat cancer and shopping for toys during toy drives were touching because God always helped remind me what I was creating in the form of awareness rather than me thinking I was just doing my part in something. I felt it, always. The knowledge and experiences gained outweighed the time and money spent on every cause. To have a personal connection to those that needed it, even from a stranger, was uplifting and beyond capturing in mere words. In 2015 I want to continue the quest. I want to be better at it. I want to be the change I use to gripe about and I want to be able to go to bed every night knowing I made a difference. I dont care if your calling is to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or to adopt a pet or even a child. DO IT. The timing will never be right if you wait and you simply have to make an agreement to say YES knowing that ther is always some way you can help someone else. Guidance and the sharing of what not to do is often more beneficial than donating $ you may not have. Give back for what you have and dont think that you are not able to. It is there. the time is there. It takes some restructuring, sure and I am no role model to follow. I just paid attention to those that continue to look for ways to help others and followed suit. Sometimes you will find yourself surrounded by folks that want to help you and others you will feel alone-- KEEP GOING. If the end result is you helping someone else out then the victory is guaranteed. I guess what I am saying more than anything is dont be so quick to judge the impact of your involvement by the outcome of the situation you seek to impact. Instead, know that being there for someone when they need it most is the reward. Cook a meal, cut someones grass, become a Big Brother or Big Sister. What you receive from this expands your mind, enhances your life and breaks the monotony life likes to sometimes stick us with. Dont strive to be like me. Its not a competition. Instead strive to be a more willing YOU. Dont wait for someone to ask for your help. Seek it. Its all around us. Happy New Year to you all.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 05:24:46 +0000
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