Volunteering is Work....

There are some who say that because volunteerism is not work, we cannot tell volunteers what to do.  I disagree. Volunteering is work, without the salary.

There are others who say that we cannot put a price on volunteering as these folks are priceless.
I agree.

But there is a split in thinking - those who volunteer for recognition and those who volunteer for self-satisfaction.

And that split is what makes getting jobs done by volunteers so difficult.  Some feel that because there is no pay, there is no responsibility; no sense of commitment; no need to follow through.
And then there are those who are responsible and who end up doing the work of those who are not.

Funny how we, as a society have lost our passion for doing things, just because they need doing. We have come to the conclusion that we should be paid.... maybe not always in cash, but in "thanks".  We have expectations of others that they should appreciate our efforts - but that is the same as expecting payment, isn't it?

I have met both.

And I love to work with those whose passion leads them to work toward a common cause without expecting anything except getting the job done and reaching the goals they share.

But working with those who need to be patted on the back for each and every task, who need to be asked, or persuaded or called to even show up, are more work than needed.  I understand why folks just do things themselves.

Usually it is easier to do the task oneself, than to beg someone else to do it and therefore, it seems the same people do all the work.  Funny how the other group who doesn't like to get their  hands dirty, always seem to know when the media is nearby, and are groomed and ready for limelight.

And so, for me, I need to remember there are two sets of folks who volunteer, (or who are persuaded to volunteer) - those whose passion see a job and get it done, no matter if it is behind the scenes, or in front of the public; and those who do it for the recognition.

Every so often, one of those who has lost his passion will be influenced by one who hasn't and she will regain hers.  Which is why we cannot eliminate that group of volunteers whose motives seem questionable.

SAGACIOUS....

I love it when I find a new word that makes sense but one that I can actually use now and then, even if in my mind...

This one means, as I am sure  you know, "to have or show the ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions".

I am reading Nelson Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom' and this word keeps coming to mind.  I am astounded at his passion for freedom and the decisions he makes to living his commitment in giving his life for it.

In thinking hard about this over the past month as I read the book, I am humbled and grateful that I was born into a country where freedom has been given to us.. fought for and won for  us by  our parents and their parents.  I have seen movies and  photos and read the stories, and I have seen that passion.

I think passion has to be personal.  It has to mean something. Something that comes from deep inside - although I do believe passion can be incited into others.

In my reading of Mr. Mandela's book, I continue to have more than a little awe and know that I can only relate to his words with profound respect and gratitude.

It is good for us to learn of the struggles of others - it instills an appreciation for what we have, what we believe and what we can do to make the world a better place.  Even if it is a tiny bit more tolerance for others than we had yesterday and a bit more understanding of the plights of others tomorrow.

One day at a time, one moment, one thought, one word, one smile... like the Butterfly Effect, it will make a difference; maybe to only one person but that one person could just be the one to pass it on, and so on.

"...walk against the wind..."

There is a Dutch word - uitwaaien - that  means "to walk against the wind".  I might interpret that to mean don't fight the Universe -  or don't push the river and so on...  just go with whatever comes.

Some days it seems no matter how hard we try, no matter how well-meaning we are, things just seem to go in opposite directions.... all higgeldy- piggeldy - things don't work the way we imagined. They get all snarled up in the day-to-day diligent dullness.  Finding a way through that sticky web is quite a challenge - like walking against the wind.

A challenge we may decide  is just too difficult.  And sometimes it is easier just to get mired in that 'dang, things-never-work-out-for-me' thing that spirals into that helpless feeling that sucks the life from us and ruins whatever else may come along.

One of the things that works for me ( and work it is....) is being in the moment.  If the rest of the day doesn't show much promise, or that whatever we are attempting seems insurmountable, perhaps the  moment we are in - right now - is the best there is.  For that 60 seconds, we can actually choose how to feel.   Sure, I know that when life is pressing down  hard, and our emotions just will not hold for one more hour, that a minute seems unreasonable long - interminable.  But guess what?  Those 60 seconds will pass no matter how we feel.  We cannot change that, but we can change how we spend them.

And maybe,  just maybe, we can push the 60 seconds to 90 .... then tomorrow? ....beyond.

Better yet, we could button up our coats and walk against the wind.  There are days when even the doggies do not want to go out.  But when we do, and the wind is howling, somehow all the day's issues seem to disappear - gusting away with the dust and leaves - as our only goal in that moment is to get around the corner.  And when we do, there is an air of triumph - we did it ! Then, when we come in, we are exhilarated.... fresh and refreshed.

So  walk against the winds that blow your way.  Pick the ones to ignore and let blow through... but use the moments while you wait for the winds to change, to decide just how you will feel while you do and then get out there, button up and walk against that wind.

Make those moments count. They are the sum of our lives.

POSSIBLE: What exactly is that?

There is a wee framed sign in my bathroom that always makes  me smile:

    "Wash down as far as possible
      Wash up as far as possible
      Then wash possible."

Perhaps what it means, other than being a bit cute, is that we should do what is possible and maybe even reasonable... and then when you are busy doing what is reasonable and possible, the impossible might just sneak up on you.

Why is it we spend our lives trying to do the impossible when all we can really do, is what is possible for  us, now.  Maybe tomorrow, there will be more we can do, but if we do our best today, where we are with what we have, then how much more can we ask?

My daughter tutors a wonderful young gal who tries really hard in school. She works really hard, does all her assignments, studies and yet, still does not do as well as she would like.  She wants to quit. Her tutor, my smart daughter asks, "are you doing your best?" and young student says, most sincerely, "yes'.

... and the reply is, "then you are doing well".

How many of us do our best - every day? Whew, not I.... well, when I am doing something for someone else, I always do my best.  But when it comes time for me? Not so much.

Today, I am going to do what is possible and do my utmost to do my best.  And tomorrow, the impossible may knock on my door and I will be ready for it.

October 13, -2013

Today I have been forced to rest.  It is raining- hard.

How difficult to rest when there is so much gardening to do. Where does this umbrella of guilt come from? Feeling like I need to be out there… being useful instead of puttering about, picking up this and putting down that.

Perhaps this dull day can be my excuse- the heaviness in the air feels weighty and although I know I have a choice as to how I feel, somehow today it is not working.

So it is reasonable that today I rest….I am learning to stop fighting the Universe.. is that the same as not "pushing the river"?

Feeling like this, there is no way that passion is bubbling to any surface.  In fact, it seems to be resting today too.

Which comes first? Passion or reason?

Today it is reason. It is the reason that my passion is pitiful.
Tomorrow is another day.

“Above all, be true to  yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.”
              Hardy D. Jackson


Today, I take myself out of the garden - my heart is in a book that waits in my favourite chair by the window.

A Journal for Passionate Reasoning....

Somehow that phrase seems like a contradiction and perhaps I like the combination of words because I feel both logically and emotionally about a lot of things; people, art, books, gardens, clouds, colours and dogs.

Years ago, a dear friend of mine suggested the title because she said it described me.  Sure, I’m passionate - but I am also pretty reasonable. And so, with heart in hand and a sprinkling of common sense, I have some things to share.

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, desire."
                Aristotle

Passionate: having strong emotions or beliefs

Reasoning: the ability to think and understand things logically


"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
               Benjamin Franklin


“Rest in reason; move in passion”

“Khalil Gibran