As a resolution I wanted to find/rediscover a passion other than my work. (Government/politics is part of my job.) I just figured it would be dance again. I grew up dancing and still put on my shoes and go through my barre work 2 or 3 times a week. I have always loved it. It never seemed like “working out”. It allowed me to express every emotion I felt. It was better than therapy. Until my life fell apart and I really needed therapy. Then I stopped dancing. That is a whole other post that will probably never happen.
I also grew up immersed in the community. That is the politically correct way of saying charity work. My family was not incredibly wealthy so we were more of the “doers” than the “payers” and I always loved it. I would much rather tutor a child or serve food or build a fence than write a check. Plus it is less embarrassing to bend a nail than bounce a check.
Dad used to manage the major commercial center in my city so I was always “downtown” somewhere. The fact that my parents exposed me to so many different aspects of life from a young age has cultivated this need to help. This is a characteristic I have tried to fight because so many people throughout my life have taken advantage of it, but now I am old enough to know when to say “no”. (That does not mean to I have learned to actually say it.)
All of that to tell you I have found my calling in the community. There are a million great causes where I live and even more resources to help out those in need. In order to really be beneficial to the cause, as well as my own sanity, I want to focus on 1 or 2 this year. Again, I do not write checks, but I can give my time and energy. I have a few in mind and will be looking into them in the next several weeks. Here...I think Ghandi said it best.
In the meantime, I had THE BEST TIME at Habitat for Humanity!! I will tell yall all about it a little later, but seriously! It was too much fun. Really, please go to the website and find one Saturday to commit. If you are not handy with hammering, do one later in the build when they need help painting and planting.
5 comments:
Good for you! I love that you're dancing again and that you've found your calling. Very nice. and inspiring.
I'm so glad you had a good time working on the Habitat house and that you're encouraging others to do the same.
Dropping by from sits. Your post is so timely given that it's MLK Day. It's important to give back to the community. I also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. It was hard work but very gratifying. Thanks for the inspiration.
What a wonderful post. I've been looking for a way to do things too with a group that actually wants to help people out, not do it for the accolades or their personal motives. How wonderful you found something that makes you happy!
I'm just stopping over from SITS to thank you for visiting my blog. Habitat for Humanity is such a great program! One of the ladies in my church recently received a Habitat home and our entire church has pitched in to help. I will definitely be checking out their website to see when they need help.
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