December 1, 2014
Greetings from Square One,
We created the calendar for a variety of reasons, and it has
evolved to something else entirely, including reminding us of what to do or
remember. But this month, I bring you yet one more purpose, one more motive to
look at the white space around the number and determine to fill it in with
purpose.
First, I know the concept is not new. Every month has some theme that someone has
already organized. November, for
example, found us growing facial hair to raise awareness, October we wore pink
ribbons, September was when we recognized guide dogs. Who among us has not been invited to
fundraisers or rallies or parades or dinners that support the causes for which
we feel passion? Every purpose competes
for space on the calendar.
It is encouraging to be part of something big, something
important. When you join a group like
this, you know the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There is also a camaraderie, and esprit de
corps that binds us together, and keeps us motivated. It’s easier to support the cause while others
support us.
The thing that can be missing is the real awareness. The connection we hope to make in our giving,
in our sharing, in how we make a difference, is sometimes too removed to feel
in the throngs of national participants.
On the other end of the equation, the recipient, there is sometimes the
same missing element.
Not always. I know
real stories of inspiration where people see the outcome of their efforts in
research or full lunchboxes or diapers for babies. But this morning it occurred to me to stretch
in another direction. So in December I
am going to see if I can bridge that gap, in a very small, very personal way.
Maybe you’d like to join me in filling in December a little
differently. Like other months that have
purpose, we would devote a little time and thought to making things better for
another person. Except just do it for your best friend. Or your brother. Or a Marine.
Or the homeless guy who panhandles in the same spot. One on one. Every day for thirty-one turns of the page.
My challenge to you is this: Start something small. Find someone in your life, you decide the
connection, and do something positive for them every day for the next 31 days. At first blush this seems so easy. When you start thinking about it, the
challenge looms. It will spark your
creativity, I promise.
It might be a note, or a photograph, or a dozen
cookies. A phone call, a word of
encouragement, a joke. A thank you. An acknowledgement of another person, a shared
prayer.
It does not have to be charitable, or 501c3, or a person in
need, or anonymous or acknowleged. You
decide. Maybe it is just a way of recognizing
your coach, or thanking your son’s best friend, or the neighbor who always watches
your dog.
There are no rules, there won’t be a website or a
thermometer that tracks the progress.
This is just us. We will start
something small, personal, each of us that wishes to try. Give the calendar your own purpose. Fill in each day with an expression of your
choosing.
If you come up with an idea that you can’t resist sharing, I
would love to hear about it.
“One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.” Henry David Thoreau
Hope this finds you extraordinary,
David
Copyright © 2014 David Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment