Monday, January 09, 2023

Writing rest

I took a break.
It wasn't that I really needed a break from blogging, but I felt like it was right. I did post once at my other blog, Healthy Living (by an unhealthy guy), so that's something. Other than that, I just wasn't really feeling it. 

The news had crap about a six year old deliberately shooting his teacher and the daily shitshow that showed what the next two years in Congress is going to look like. I didn't need to add to the noise of that garbage. I suppose I should have offered something peaceful, caring, wise or encouraging, but I didn't feel that either. 

I have worked a couple of overnights at the shelter since last writing and found that both of the overnight volunteers were there just because they felt it was important to be there. And I have had great volunteers to work with this year! They have all been so willing to do work and so very compassionate towards the guests that come our way. 
It's funny that they act like I'm weird for even asking about why they are there. I mean - I should know, right? I'm there too.
Of course, this year I am not there as a volunteer. This year it's my job.  Other than getting paid, nothing much has changed. People act like I know what I'm doing and I'm in charge, but I don't and I'm not that good at telling people what to do. I am at the shelter more often than when I was a volunteer. The cool thing about being there more often is that I have a chance to get to know people a little better and they talk to me more, maybe even trust me more than in the past.

I will continue to ask people why they volunteer. Two is a pretty small sample size, but I'm pleased that they both felt that serving others is important rather than something like it gives them a sense of purpose or something about what volunteering does for them. I mean - it does feel good and it does give me a sense of purpose and accomplishment, but I'm glad that they feel the primary thing is what it does for others rather than self.

John

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