Take a little Time to Enjoy the View

Those who can, do
Those who can do more, volunteer

Week #37 LIFE'S simple pleasures - being a volunteer

Just like anything in LIFE, some people want to volunteer and others don't. 

That's really okay!

Some people have wonderful experiences and meet special people when they volunteer... it completes their circle of receiving and giving.  It feels good!

Others who volunteer don't want to broadcast what they do, that would be a form of grandstanding. And some may feel belittled or micromanaged when a volunteer coordinator comes in with a larger than LIFE ego. Volunteering isn't for everybody... or maybe its that they haven't found the right place to volunteer that fits what they have to offer.

You take the good and you take the bad.

 

Earlier this week I took a picture of my view that I had while doing a 4 hour volunteer stint.  I'm not trying to grandstand... I'm thinking that I'm very blessed to have this opportunity in such a beautiful place.  It was at the 9th hole of  local Country Club.  I'm not a member of the country club, nor am I part of the local community organization that was fundraising that day... I was 'just' a volunteer who received an email asking me if I could help. I had know idea when I signed up what I was going to do.

 

My task?  To solicit more donations!  I got carted out to the 9th tee with a nice retired gentleman who was volunteering his services, we were at the Designated Driver hole.  (Cute play on words.)  His job would be for $5 per player or $20 per foursome... he would 'drive' their golf balls up the fairway to give them a better shot to get to the green, thus getting a better score on the hole.

 

It was an all women's golf outing.  At least I think most all knew that they were playing (paying) for a fundraiser.... they gladly paid their extra fee and were excited to see this nice gentleman hit their ball over 250 yards.  It was for fun!  It was for charity!  It was a beautiful September day.... and some women.... well, they were woman.... CHEAP and crabby.

 

I played with a photo app on the picture above.  My creative twist for today's post. 

 

I don't think volunteering for this event was eye opening... but it was another experience to tuck inside my belt...my resume is changing and growing.... from being a PTA member to a PTA president, to working on designing posters to painting backdrops, from set up to clean up ... to collecting money and handing out drinks....

 

I only volunteer a little bit.  Hardly anything compared to some (but whose comparing).... but I think any little bit helps. It's simple enough to do!

 

LIFE isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments. - Rose Kennedy

 

Let's see what type of view my next Volunteer adventure takes me!

 

A good deed brightens a dark world.

 

Makes me want to go and Brighten Someone's Day with some FuN MaiL.

Say Cheese!

It's easy to make a buck.  It's a lot tougher to make a difference - Tom Brokaw

Week #37 LIFE'S simple pleasures - being a volunteer

It's really tough to make a difference!

Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity!

If you puruse through my blog, you will see a lot of pictures.  My pictures aren't always about the people in my LIFE but more so about the adventures that happen along my journey in LIFE.

 

I've said it many times ...and I will probably say it 10 times more... but I am still in awe about technology with digital cameras and social media on personal computers and iphones. 

 

I think about all the pictures that 'could have been'....

 

Never regret anything that has happened in your life, it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten, so take it as a lesson learned and move on.

 

I don't think I'm a great photographer, but I think I'm pretty good! 

 

Sometimes I can't believe that most of my pictures from the last year were all taken with my phone (my smart phone)  ... who would have thunk 30 years ago when I was in a dark room in my college days developing my camera film in chemicals and waiting for the prints to dry.... that I could capture a moment in LIFE and see it instantly on a little screen with my phone and then be able to send it world wide via the internet in a matter of seconds!!!

 

 

I want to learn more about all of this. 

 

Every day I try to be creative and I search for new ways to design an idea, take pictures, capture a moment and find some of LIFE'S simple pleasures to enjoy and share.

 

I had the opportunity a few years ago to volunteer my services.  By searching online through my local community volunteer website, I found something of interest... something that I could possibly do.   

 

The ad read: Elderly gentleman in a wheel chair seeking a photographer to take pictures of his artwork and provide him with a disk of the photos for computer use.

 

I thought about it for a bit and then I applied.  I actually had to go through a few steps before I ever spoke to the gentleman.  They had to do a background check on me.  I had no problem with that. By the way.... I cleared!

 

So, after a few conversations over a couple of months with the gentleman on the phone, the photo shoot never came to fruition.  There is more to that story .... but for now, I will just say, once again sometimes volunteering is an altruistic activity.

I'm just happy that on a daily basis...I get to do what I truly love,  I get to create something!  And some day, when the time is right... one act of kindness could change a person's outlook on LIFE forever!

 

Are you able to volunteer?  Have you had positive experiences?  Or, have some of your efforts not really made a difference?

 

In the meantime, I will keep thinking... Somewhere, someone is looking for exactly what I have to offer!

 

Today.... I will go and Brighten Somone's Day... with some FuN MaiL!!!!

Ya Herd?

Volunteers don't get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they're priceless - Sherry Anderson

Week #37 LIFE'S simple pleasures - being a volunteer

 

I give volunteer coordinators a lot of credit!

They must have a true passion and believe in the cause of their organization.  Since I have been part of my kid's schools' PTA and a booster of their sports clubs, I have held many different positions in these organizations.... coordinating volunteers for a fundraiser/activity is by far, one of the hardest.

For schools and sports clubs it's almost become mandatory for ALL families to participate in one capacity or another.  Before the year/season begins, you get a check list of things you are willing to do and the dates you are available to help.  That sheet is then turned into the organization and the names are given to the coordinators who then have a compiled list of people to call to set up the event, work a specific shift or position and then assignments for clean up or follow up.

Coordinating a city or county wide event I'm sure is a major challenge for someone who is in charge of seeking out volunteers.

I can no longer use the excuse that I'm new to the city we live in... we have been here over 7 years.  However, I must admit that the circle of friends we have met during this time are busier living their lives, than reaching out to bring newcomers to their civic clubs, churches or fundraising events.

Most things that I have volunteered for I found through small blurbs written up in our local newspaper.

I do think that with so many ways to access social media (email, facebook, twitter, voice mail, texting) that anyone coordinating volunteers really has no excuse of poor communication to their people.  I'm sure it was so much harder a few years ago when you had to call and call and call and never got a real live person on the other end of the phone line.  Now, you can let everybody know the information all with the click of a button!

The reason for my Lamb creative greeting card above???? About 6 years ago I volunteered for the Midwest Fiber and Folk Faire being held here in town. I really didn't know what it was.  But I think anything with the word Folk Faire is something that would interest me!!! After emailing the coordinator that I was willing to help ... I was given duty at the table for Ticket admissions. The event was coined , 'Ya Herd?'  You know me... I love pretty things and clever words.

It was a beautiful day. 

The attendees mostly were creative souls, happy to be there.

It was fun and interesting to meet new people, even if it was for a brief moment.

The coordinator often made a point to check in on us volunteers.  The task was pretty simple... take money, give tickets.  Give out maps... point to the bathrooms.

But sadly... I didn't feel a connection after that event, and never 'herd' from them again.

This volunteer activity didn't really lead me anywhere.  I didn't have a strong feeling of duty or loyalty and I certainly didn't help improve the quality of life (all things that might define a volunteer).  But everything I do ... doesn't always have to lead to something else.

No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.
-Aesop-

Make Today Matter

There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. - Edith Wharton

I could substitute the word SHINE for spreading light and it would mean the same thing...since I've been a part of the House of Shine for the past few years.... I like to incorporate it where ever I can... to spread SHINE.

Week #37 - LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - volunteer

I've decided that right now, at this very moment I am on a career break.... actually, it's an extended career break.  Some might call it a sabbatical, but I think with my twist on LIFE to call it simply... a career break.

So, to stay active, get out there, meet new people, and network... I'm volunteering.  Definitely, I'm not doing as much as some, but I'm just starting to branch out.  Remember, I just became an empty nester.  My priorities were on my family and home.... and only those honest and open will pour out their soul on a blog post and tell you... this has been a huge change in my LIFE. I'm really not sure where I need to be.

 

 

So... what does it mean to volunteer?  It is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life.  It could also mean to 'improve animal quality of life' as well. 

 

The creative greeting cards I've posted on today's blog represent the cat room at one of our cities local animal shelters.  A few years back for a summer, every other Saturday we would go to the shelter and volunteer with others to clean the 'cat room'.  We got to pet and groom cats that were available for adoption (yay).  We also got to help clean out cat litters and scrub the floors. (eww)

 

It was part of my job at the time to teach my kids to be a part of their community and have a feeling of duty or loyalty to the selflessness welfare of others. Volunteer our time for a cause we could believe in. The first step was to help better the quality of life for abandoned and abused animals.

There are so many ways to volunteer!!  I will be sharing a few of my experiences with you this week.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intentions - Oscar Wilde

Chime In!

 

Week #36 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - the sounds of Summer

 

When you think of Summer today.... or from the past... what SOUNDS remind you of Summer??

 

Lots of traffic honking traveling in and out of the city on a holiday weekend?  Children laughing while jumping in the waves at the beach?  The crack of a baseball bat hitting a home run?? A stereo blaring Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville?? A serene spot on a river hearing the soft ripple of water heading down stream?  The crunch of the first leaves beneath your feet??

 

There are so many sounds of summer! 

 

Step outside right now (or after you finish reading my post!!) for a moment during your busy day, take a breath .... and listen... what sounds do you hear during this summer of 2013?? Simple!

 

Chime in... wont you?

Ding-a-Ling

What are the sounds of summer?  There are so many sounds really.  It would possibly take all the fingers on my hands and all the toes on my feet to count all the sounds I hear when I step outside my door.

And when there is peace and silence and everything is still, it does take me by surprise and I think "what is wrong" ?.... because there is always some sound.

 

When I think of the word summer I think of sun, sand and surf.  When I think of summer sounds, I think of what I hear when my window is open and LIFE just happens in my backyard.

 

It's relatively quiet as I type this.  Almost eerily quiet .... but it's not like this all the time. 

 

On any given day in the summer I will hear: sirens screaming, crickets chirping, frogs bellowing, dogs barking, fire works booming, train whistles tooting, cicadas buzzing, music from a radio or a teenagers' car blaring, lawn mowers rumbling, wind chimes dinging, a fountain rippling, airplanes soaring, birds singing, cars rambling, motorcycles roaring and sometimes I hear the laughter of children playing, the ice cream man dinging, a hot air balloon whooshing and a helicopter hovering.

 

Week #36 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - sounds of summer

 

Just like stopping to smell the roses... have you ever just stopped in place, taken a deep breath, silenced you mind and body... and listened to the sounds around you?  I am so blessed and fortunate that I can hear those sounds ... the sounds of a beautiful summer!

 

Not only is the sun SHINING and the birds are singing... but it's also time for me to go and Brighten Someone's Day!!!

What's all the BUZZ about?

Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun - Kahlil Gibran

 

Often we feel the summer by the sunSHINE that touches our face, but can you use your other senses when looking at something?  Could you possibly hear the sounds of summer by looking at the picture above?

Week # 36 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - sounds of summer

I find it interesting and a bit exciting when I get an idea for a simple pleasure how the thought runs my mind to so many places.  How could seeing a sunflower help me to hear the sounds of summer? 

Today and most days when I am able to open my window I hear the cicadas buzzing, the birds chirping and sirens wailing.

My husband and I often talk about that buzzing sound we hear, we've heard it ever since we were small children in Wisconsin and Indiana.  It was the sound we heard every summer.  I always thought it was the power lines running between the poles in our backyard.  When we lived in Tennessee, there were numerous stories about the 17 year cicadas... now, we don't think much about that buzzing sound.... because we hear it most summer days here in Illinois....Cicadas are insects, best known for the sounds made by male cicadas. The males make this sound by flexing their tymbals, which are drum-like organs found in their abdomens.

Birds chirping?  You get that sound right?  More noise when it's feeding time.  We often have the pleasure of a hawk (or 3) flying overhead squawking and squeling as they pursue food from the ComEd field in our backyard.  Sometimes that 'noise' can go on for hours!

This morning I heard a city emergency siren test at 10am sharp.... first Tuesday of the month.  But I also hear a lot of ambulance, fire trucks and police sirens throughout the day as the sound of it wails through our tree lined streets to the busy mini state highway that surrounds our subdivison and hospitals are 4 miles in three directions from our home.

What thoughts come to mind when you think of the sounds of summer? What do you hear when you open your window??

There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!

 

Percy Bysshe Shelley