“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread." Reading this quote reminded me of the ways I serve this hunger in my life. Today I returned to my volunteer role as In-School Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. It is a volunteer placement that I began in 2002 – one the major steps that I took at that time to create a life that was grounded in my personal values.
Over the years, I have been matched with three different primary/elementary school-aged boys who have an identified unmet need for this love and appreciation. They are need of a role model – one who connects with them personally to show them what is possible. The commitment is small in terms of time – only one lunch hour per week – but the outcomes is priceless.
This is my third year matched with an amazing young man named Cory who is 11. We have developed a great friendship that is based in honesty, respect and learning. We have a lot of fun together playing games, working on projects, doing crafts. We also talk a lot about the things that affect our lives. When we are together, nothing else matters. For me, it has been a great lesson in being present. The fact that I am contributing to this child’s growth is a wonderful gift for me and I feel blessed to have been chosen as his mentor. Truth be told, Cory has taught me a lot, too, and I am very grateful for our relationship.
I am grateful as well, to his mother, who has enrolled Cory into the program for three consecutive years. There are many social programs available to assist children who require a little extra care and attention, and I applaud those parents who take advantage of the opportunities to expose their children to new people and ideas. I have only met Cory’s mother on a couple of occasions, while we both attending school functions with our children. I made a point to tell her how much Cory and I enjoy our time together and that we are both thankful for the opportunity. I think this honest display of love and appreciate to her was well received.
When I arrived at the school today, Cory did not know I was coming but was visibly excited. We are both looking forward to spending another great year together. I have gotten to know most of the children in his grade and they are aware that Cory and I have a special relationship and it is something that makes me proud. Today, more than twenty 11-year-olds greeted me as I entered the school. As I watched them play intramural soccer, many of them came over to chat while on the bench. They recognize the role that I play and are respectful, caring and wonderful. Again, this has been an unexpected bonus for me. Cory and I appreciate the attitude of his classmates and have collaborated on a puppet play and talent show in past years to share our positive energy with his class. In many ways, all of us have that hunger for love and appreciation, and this is one way Cory and I contribute.
My children, 11 and 8, are also happy that I have returned to the program this year. They are aware how important this commitment is for me to be fully self-expressed. I have explained to them that “Mommy has a lot of love to share and there are a lot of people who need some extra.” There has never been any doubt in their minds that this contribution makes me a more complete person. They have never questioned that it would negatively impact the amount of love I have for them. I have benefited in so many ways from this involvement and being able to share the experience with my children is one of the best!
Volunteer work is a terrific avenue to express yourself especially when you don’t find that your work or home life is ‘missing something’. Organizations of all types are crying out for volunteers and it is relatively easy to find one that serves the community or cause that strikes a chord with you. For me, I had always been involved with youth organizations. I had been a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club when I was in high school and have worked with Junior Achievement off and on since 1995. I was looking for an outlet that would nurture my spirit and allow me to express my gifts, and being matched with a young child in need of one-on-one attention appealed to me greatly. I have found an enormous sense of satisfaction working with Big Brothers Big Sisters. The experience has provided me with many Lessons Learned.
Professional Motivator, Lisa Payne, finds inspiration in everyday events to help others embrace their potential.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Wise Seagull
I started to write an entry several weeks back when we were on the cusp of a tropical storm. I found myself at my Quiet Space with pen in hand but the words didn’t make it to the page. I was enthralling by the seagulls. Let’s face it, they’re not much to look at, these “rats with wings”, but on that day a great lesson was taught.
As the ocean rolled in anticipation of the great storm, I felt it inside me, too. The tides that ebb and flow are often reflected in our emotions and, on that day, I remember that I felt like my life was one big hurricane! Of course, that’s how I was feeling in that moment and when my rational self and then my higher self straightened me out (in the form of a seagull), all was well in the world. But we all have those times and I was reminded of that day as I sit at the computer, rain once again beating down sideways. My emotions are as high today but it has been one wild time over the past several months and, at any point, I could go either way! Today’s storm is hitting harder than the prediction for that day and I will likely head to the beach just out of curiosity to see how my feathered friends are managing.
What amazed me that late August day was that, despite the high rolling waves and 80 kms winds, the seagulls just sat there. They were sitting on top of the waves as they rolled! They didn’t try to fly away. They didn’t paddle against the current. I guess they knew it would have been a futile effort. They were saving their strength and just enjoying the ride until the time that the storm passed and their fanciful flight could resume. They were so peaceful. I was really struck by the symbolism from this particular scene.
Those “rats with wings” taught me a lesson in patience and faith that day at Topsail Beach. In life, as in this beautiful province, storm winds will rise to test us. I am reminded today that we must all keep the faith that all is as it should be and that this, too, shall pass. Lesson Learned.
As the ocean rolled in anticipation of the great storm, I felt it inside me, too. The tides that ebb and flow are often reflected in our emotions and, on that day, I remember that I felt like my life was one big hurricane! Of course, that’s how I was feeling in that moment and when my rational self and then my higher self straightened me out (in the form of a seagull), all was well in the world. But we all have those times and I was reminded of that day as I sit at the computer, rain once again beating down sideways. My emotions are as high today but it has been one wild time over the past several months and, at any point, I could go either way! Today’s storm is hitting harder than the prediction for that day and I will likely head to the beach just out of curiosity to see how my feathered friends are managing.
What amazed me that late August day was that, despite the high rolling waves and 80 kms winds, the seagulls just sat there. They were sitting on top of the waves as they rolled! They didn’t try to fly away. They didn’t paddle against the current. I guess they knew it would have been a futile effort. They were saving their strength and just enjoying the ride until the time that the storm passed and their fanciful flight could resume. They were so peaceful. I was really struck by the symbolism from this particular scene.
Those “rats with wings” taught me a lesson in patience and faith that day at Topsail Beach. In life, as in this beautiful province, storm winds will rise to test us. I am reminded today that we must all keep the faith that all is as it should be and that this, too, shall pass. Lesson Learned.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Gratitude for Freedom of Choice
On Thanksgiving Day. May people throughout our great country will express thanks for family, friends, love, health, and the worldly possessions that make our existence most pleasant. These are, indeed, many of things for which I am grateful and for which I say thanks every day. Today, as I washed the dishes and listened to my children roughhousing in the basement, it came to me that I am most grateful for my Freedom of Choice.
I believe that the way in which we operate in this world is reflective of not only who we are but who we choose to be in each moment. I believe we are born into this world for a specific purpose, to learn specific things. How that ‘shows up’ will be different based on the choices that we make at each turn.
Because of my choices, I am here today, and very grateful for that. My past has shaped my present but the power of choice is mine to exercise. The question is: what will I do with this power, this awesome freedom of choice? This power puts me in the driver’s seat of my life.
I remember the first time I went on a vacation by myself. My mantra was that I would do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted with whomever I wanted. I was giddy with the expression of this freedom. It was as if I had never experienced it before. In fact, during the first few years following my divorce, I often found myself ‘silly’ with the prospect of such control over my choices.
What I have come to understand and embrace in years since is that I have always had the freedom of choice… I just made different choices. Accepting responsibility for the part we play in creating our circumstance is an excellent foundation for healing. By acknowledging that we always had the power of choice and yet we chose to live is disharmony, can be humbling to say the least. Why we would choose to create a present that doesn’t serve us is a mystery, but it is from these choices that we can learn the greatest lessons.
Today I am thankful family, friends, love, health, and the worldly possessions that make my existence most pleasant. I am thankful for my experiences. I am thankful for the many Lessons Learned.
I believe that the way in which we operate in this world is reflective of not only who we are but who we choose to be in each moment. I believe we are born into this world for a specific purpose, to learn specific things. How that ‘shows up’ will be different based on the choices that we make at each turn.
Because of my choices, I am here today, and very grateful for that. My past has shaped my present but the power of choice is mine to exercise. The question is: what will I do with this power, this awesome freedom of choice? This power puts me in the driver’s seat of my life.
I remember the first time I went on a vacation by myself. My mantra was that I would do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted with whomever I wanted. I was giddy with the expression of this freedom. It was as if I had never experienced it before. In fact, during the first few years following my divorce, I often found myself ‘silly’ with the prospect of such control over my choices.
What I have come to understand and embrace in years since is that I have always had the freedom of choice… I just made different choices. Accepting responsibility for the part we play in creating our circumstance is an excellent foundation for healing. By acknowledging that we always had the power of choice and yet we chose to live is disharmony, can be humbling to say the least. Why we would choose to create a present that doesn’t serve us is a mystery, but it is from these choices that we can learn the greatest lessons.
Today I am thankful family, friends, love, health, and the worldly possessions that make my existence most pleasant. I am thankful for my experiences. I am thankful for the many Lessons Learned.
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