Volunteerism
It is the little things in life that say so much
Anonymous
I BELIEVE there are many things in life we can quietly undertake without any fanfare or a prevalent societal quid-pro-quo WIIFM -- "What's In It For Me" experience -- that can deliver positive experiences in spades.
Volunteering for example, comes to mind.
"I'll be there" for you, implies on a certain level that your best friend would jump in front of your foe and take a bullet for you. Being there unselfishly for others is the next best thing -- frankly, a gift anyone can give. The potential rewards of being there for others, could be equated to being on the giving end of Christmas Day, every day. It could be likened to the greatest gift anyone can give.
VOLUNTEERING COULD BE CONSIDERED the very core of civility. Thus, the output of small efforts of time and energy can often return superior emotional and spiritual gains to all stakeholders, particularly while 'walking a mile in the shoes' of those persons less healthy or fortunate.
What a potential rush!
Earlier this month, I was asked by my hospital to review, and possibly place input into, the new volunteer cardiac patient program they are about to launch. This is exciting -- both for their dedicated volunteer group, and of course, for the never ending count of recovering cardiac patients.
Midway through the morning session, I unexpectedly blurted out a small confession to their volunteer team leader and assembled group, about an earlier unannounced trip I had taken to their H cardiac recovery floor...
I had purposely stopped in the hallway outside of my room 311. There was no playbook to refer to on that nippy February day, for what might be considered in some circles, as a Typical-Tony ballsy decision -- almost on a level of pausing before walking unannounced through that huge Stargate ring, into the unknown. Or checking on the possible medical or legal ramifications, beforehand. This brought about a brief period of hesitancy to enter a room full of strangers. On another level, there was no turning back, either. I calmly walked in, introduced myself first to an elderly gentleman, and then to his two concerned sons, both about my age. It was evident there was a lot of tenseness in play within these four walls. The gent in 'my bed' was about to have I believe a valve operation the following day. This timing seemed a little strange, as I thought you ended up on the third floor, after your operation, not before. But, hey, I was the unannounced visitor with no program on that mid-winter morn. Not them.
I explained how I had been in this very room, several months earlier recovering from triple by-pass cardiac surgery. Room 311 was the lucky room on the ward. And here I was in the pink, so to speak; to retell the tale, healing stitches and all as living proof. No more than a lot of 'been-there-done-that' unrehearsed banter from the heart, actually.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED after a few minutes. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my presence was perfect, as the off-springs had seemed to have exhausted any further motivational chats they could muster with dad. Somehow, as a past and current patient, he and I connected. You could noticeably see his stress levels recede. His kids noticed it as well, and both personally thanked me afterwards at the entrance doorway when leaving.
I felt good after that quick hello, and have no doubt, the gentle- man survived with precious little effort on my part. From my perspective, it was sort of squaring off that life circle, giving back to the community, unannounced and unrehearsed. I wasn't even going to tell the story to anyone. And don't know why I did earlier this month. However, walking to the H parking lot afterwards on that mid-winter morn, I felt an inward warmth that was hard to explain after helping a total stranger.
It wasn't at a heightened level of perhaps Allister Simm joyously playing the irreplaceable part of Scrooge while dancing on his head early Christmas morning, but a good feeling, nonetheless.
I don't mean to suggest for you to stand on your pointed little head and spin like a top to be a starbright. But you should try quietly helping someone, sometime. The WIIFM payback is awful. The rewards are priceless.
I guess in some small way, this is what they call the essence of volunteering.
I received this unexpected e-mail later in the day from their Director of Volunteer Services, which I felt was very touching. With thanks, J.
Tony,
Thank you so much. As we proceed, I will be in touch for your insights...I will always remember one of your final comments at the meeting about the father and the two sons. You summed up the value of the volunteer involvement with one story and I thank you for that.... J
Good luck, you merry band of volunteers...
Anonymous
I BELIEVE there are many things in life we can quietly undertake without any fanfare or a prevalent societal quid-pro-quo WIIFM -- "What's In It For Me" experience -- that can deliver positive experiences in spades.
Volunteering for example, comes to mind.
"I'll be there" for you, implies on a certain level that your best friend would jump in front of your foe and take a bullet for you. Being there unselfishly for others is the next best thing -- frankly, a gift anyone can give. The potential rewards of being there for others, could be equated to being on the giving end of Christmas Day, every day. It could be likened to the greatest gift anyone can give.
VOLUNTEERING COULD BE CONSIDERED the very core of civility. Thus, the output of small efforts of time and energy can often return superior emotional and spiritual gains to all stakeholders, particularly while 'walking a mile in the shoes' of those persons less healthy or fortunate.
What a potential rush!
Earlier this month, I was asked by my hospital to review, and possibly place input into, the new volunteer cardiac patient program they are about to launch. This is exciting -- both for their dedicated volunteer group, and of course, for the never ending count of recovering cardiac patients.
Midway through the morning session, I unexpectedly blurted out a small confession to their volunteer team leader and assembled group, about an earlier unannounced trip I had taken to their H cardiac recovery floor...
I had purposely stopped in the hallway outside of my room 311. There was no playbook to refer to on that nippy February day, for what might be considered in some circles, as a Typical-Tony ballsy decision -- almost on a level of pausing before walking unannounced through that huge Stargate ring, into the unknown. Or checking on the possible medical or legal ramifications, beforehand. This brought about a brief period of hesitancy to enter a room full of strangers. On another level, there was no turning back, either. I calmly walked in, introduced myself first to an elderly gentleman, and then to his two concerned sons, both about my age. It was evident there was a lot of tenseness in play within these four walls. The gent in 'my bed' was about to have I believe a valve operation the following day. This timing seemed a little strange, as I thought you ended up on the third floor, after your operation, not before. But, hey, I was the unannounced visitor with no program on that mid-winter morn. Not them.
I explained how I had been in this very room, several months earlier recovering from triple by-pass cardiac surgery. Room 311 was the lucky room on the ward. And here I was in the pink, so to speak; to retell the tale, healing stitches and all as living proof. No more than a lot of 'been-there-done-that' unrehearsed banter from the heart, actually.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED after a few minutes. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my presence was perfect, as the off-springs had seemed to have exhausted any further motivational chats they could muster with dad. Somehow, as a past and current patient, he and I connected. You could noticeably see his stress levels recede. His kids noticed it as well, and both personally thanked me afterwards at the entrance doorway when leaving.
I felt good after that quick hello, and have no doubt, the gentle- man survived with precious little effort on my part. From my perspective, it was sort of squaring off that life circle, giving back to the community, unannounced and unrehearsed. I wasn't even going to tell the story to anyone. And don't know why I did earlier this month. However, walking to the H parking lot afterwards on that mid-winter morn, I felt an inward warmth that was hard to explain after helping a total stranger.
It wasn't at a heightened level of perhaps Allister Simm joyously playing the irreplaceable part of Scrooge while dancing on his head early Christmas morning, but a good feeling, nonetheless.
I don't mean to suggest for you to stand on your pointed little head and spin like a top to be a starbright. But you should try quietly helping someone, sometime. The WIIFM payback is awful. The rewards are priceless.
I guess in some small way, this is what they call the essence of volunteering.
I received this unexpected e-mail later in the day from their Director of Volunteer Services, which I felt was very touching. With thanks, J.
Tony,
Thank you so much. As we proceed, I will be in touch for your insights...I will always remember one of your final comments at the meeting about the father and the two sons. You summed up the value of the volunteer involvement with one story and I thank you for that.... J
Good luck, you merry band of volunteers...
posted by leisurelan at 12:54 PM
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