Giving Back

I used to volunteer … when I was away at school, when I moved back to this area … in various forms, at a variety of organizations … but it’s been a while and I missed it. 

I had been looking - admittedly passively, but I hadn’t found anything that aligned with my interests, strengths and/or availability.

I have a few organizations or types of volunteer or donations that I relate to or am drawn to but sadly their needs and my capacity to give aren’t aligning. 

Then there are friends - who, for whatever reason, gravitate to certain organizations.  Sometimes they align with my values - but not always … if they are important to people who are important to me … I prioritize giving - be it money or time.  

Where I work is aligned with a charity and actively encourages taking a day to volunteer in our communities.  My challenge - these are monitored and metricked and it assumes one day of time is enough - which I find often is not the case.  While I appreciate a culture of giving - I prefer my donations remain anonymous.  I donate because a cause resonates - not for a gold star. The time itself - finding something that doesn’t feel like a checkbox has been challenging.

Do I overthink this?

Absolutely!

I take the commitment seriously - if I give my time - people are depending on that.  That means something to me. 

I have recently stumbled upon a volunteer opportunity I’m excited about.  I’ve read about the program, know someone who helped set it up in our area.  So - I’ve completed the training and submitted my interest and my details for the police check.  The goal is to be ready to begin when the Winter session begins in January.  

Getting excited about giving back may sound or be silly - but I am - it’s something small but still something that matters.

It’s amazing to me how many people don’t give back … and how many who do, don’t have a lot to give.  Maybe they understand the importance of the donations, the time, the energy, the value these programs bring to communities.  Maybe not.  

I was recently having a conversation about the holiday season and the concept of want.  The stress this creates, the division … how we as a society emphasize more or disposable … I can’t be the only one who sees the “unboxing reels”  and feels drawn to “needing” something I didn’t even know existed before I saw the reel. (Read: I don’t need it - I think I want it.  There’s a difference).

My Mother would tell you - or maybe just me - that I have a shopping addiction.  There are times when that may be true.  Other times I don’t shop at all.  For months on end.  Do I fall prey to buying things I don’t need?  Yes.  Do I always?  No.  I’ve been fighting this off and on for a while.  While I don’t like to needlessly spend - sometimes I do … that part I’m working on.  The part where I spoil my bebe’s?  No.  I get joy from that.  I love spoiling my bebe’s.  Not always gifts - experiences are big in my world.  Exposing them to art, theatre, sports, music, food, culture, people … these things open them up - let them see things they don’t see in their day to day, don’t experience or relate too … it exposes them to different.  Different points of views, ideas, ways of doing things, seeing things, feeling things.  It opens them up to an understanding that different isn’t bad, or wrong … it’s different.  I want them to see that each of us makes an impact - through our choices, our actions, our voices … how we choose to use these or not - matters.  Broadening their exposure opens their minds and gives them more data points to help them shape who they become and the impact they choose to make.  

Spoiling is still spoiling … but there is a method to the madness. 

At this time of year it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos … the sales, the purchasing, the optics. 

It’s also a time of year when people without feel it … In the empty stomachs, the damp and cold, the lack of friends or family, gifts under the tree … It is both amazing and heartbreaking how many people go without at this time of year. 

At this time of year I’m hyper sensitive to all the things … not really sure why or where that came from … the emotion feels so big for some reason … almost overwhelming … It’s the time of year where giving back isn’t always about money … It's about letting the displaced woman by the coffee shop chat for a few minutes instead of dismissing her … Shovelling the driveway of a neighbour who struggles or is older or hurt … It can look so many different ways … How it happens is less important than each of us finding a way to make it happen.  

Giving back can be small, simple even … Small and simple still make ripples … Small has meaning.  It matters.  Maybe not to you … maybe not even to 9 of the 10 people you encounter over the course of the day … but if one person had a better day because of you … if it mattered to just one … Isn’t that worth it?