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Nancy V.
Owner of White Book (PR & Marketing); Project Manager/Diversity & Events Specialist
Hmm…about me, well, I am always and never the same, which makes for my own interesting world where I constantly recruit individuals to join my planet. Take myself very seriously, but prefer not to, so I dress in outfits that often do not match and say things that I shouldn’t under the guise of ...
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Some People Don't Get It

Wednesday, September, 17, 2008

I can’t say I always got it either or that I now fully understand, but I’m trying and I’m learning. You have to give. You have to – it’s just the way it is. Years ago, a friend of mine shared with me that in the workplace, you have to give people what they need. If someone has the need for respect – give it to them. Need for space – then move. Need you to listen – pull up a chair. Simple enough, but sometimes challenging in those circumstances when you’d rather just walk off or dismiss the person or issue.

Then my learning evolved into giving people what they want. Not sure if it’s Mary Kay Ash or Zig Ziglar (nor is Google, as both of them are cited), but the quote is: You can have everything in life you want if you'll just help enough other people to get what they want.

It can be hard to grasp. It wasn’t all that easy for me anyways. Help enough people? How many is enough and for how long? It’s true though. Once you take care of the basic necessities and move into helping those with their wants – there are blessings for you in the end. And no, you don’t necessarily have to wait until you get to heaven to see them. Each time you move into helping someone with their wants and desires, sometimes you’ll find your wants changing or that they weren’t all that important after all or that you get what you want!

For someone who likes shopping, making, spending, saving and having money – this whole “giving” thing can be a bit hazy. Not always difficult to understand, but sometimes difficult to do. And the “giving” doesn’t always have to be monetary, as sometimes you won’t have anything cash-wise to give, but you can always give of your time and skills. Yes, you’ll never get that hour back when you’re giving your time to spend at a youth center or volunteering at an elderly facility, but you’ll never get the time back that you sit around in front of the TV either. Every once in awhile, weigh your options. Make a difference versus not make a difference – not that difficult of a choice in the end.

Nowadays there are so many creative ways to get involved – you can even volunteer on the phone or tutor someone virtually. I can’t explain it, but it’s so necessary to get involved and jump in when you can – and your reward comes in so many different ways. Regardless of your financial situation, consider incorporating “giving” into your budget – whether it be giving of your time or financially. I promise you, it will make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others. Maybe not right away, but it WILL make a difference.

If you click here, there are some tips to get you started, and here are a few sites where you can research organizations you may want to get involved with:

Volunteer Match

Network For Good

Action Without Borders

Cross Cultural Solutions

What organizations do you volunteer with now? What’s your favorite charity? When’s the last time you volunteered in your community?

Good luck...the WORLD thanks you!


getaclewis
getaclewis
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 08:10
Great blog! Thanks for "giving" me inspiration! "Trust Life's unfolding..."
krrobi
krrobi
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 09:36
Yes, I believe in giving! But I believe one should give from their heart. If one is giving just to say "Well, now I'm going to get something back, and I can tell all my friends how wonderful I am!" This kind of giving is done in vain. One person cannot do it all...but If one feels deeply, strongly, and passionately about something, the MUST get involved in whatever that is. I love the quote.."We are so much stronger together than we could ever be alone." We are here to give hope to others, to love others, and to share with others. This is our purpose--and I believe God will help us find that particular path if we are aware of His voice :) (thanks for the reminder)!!!!!
BostonSass
BostonSass
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 11:20
What a wonderful post! Thank you for reminding all of us the importance of giving. I believe giving can come in many forms, like you do.
BCBlogger
BCBlogger
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 14:36
Nancy. . .thank you for writing this blog. It's beautiful as always and one of the reasons that I love reading your blogs - you are ALWAYS in a state of giving, sharing, love. . .(and you have awesome hair. Giggle)
onetwothreebirds
onetwothreebirds
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 18:38

Before I read this, I wrote a post for tomorrow on the same theme.

I'm with you: We have so much, we are so lucky-- why not share?

I've begun volunteering with local eco-groups. This fall I'll help clean up my community and plant trees. Just knowing those things are on my calendar makes me feel better. Knowing people are actively trying to make a difference softens my view of the world.

~ Rhi B.
http://rhibowman.wordpress.com

Cosmicbiker
Cosmicbiker
Posted Wed, 09/17/2008 - 22:10
Wonderful post! There's a great teaching from The Urantia Book that says, "All true love is from God, and we receive the divine affection as we ourselves bestow this love upon others. Love is dynamic. It can never be captured; it is alive, free, thrilling, and always moving. We can never take the love of God and imprison it within our hearts. God's love can become real to us only by passing through our personality as we in turn bestow this love upon others. The great circuit of love is from God, through us to others, and hence back to God." I get paid for giving advice (in case anyone HASN'T noticed. Sometimes you just have to tell me to shut up!) and the most rewarding thing I do is teach those same life skills to women who can't pay for it. By the way, and here I rear my ugly advice head again - giving can be generous; very, very generous, AS LONG AS we have good boundaries around taking care of ourselves too. There is nothing loving about being a doormat. God expects us to respect and care for ourselves as well as others. Do you agree? Carol Setters www.CarolSetters.com Boulder, Colorado
NV
NV
Posted Thu, 09/18/2008 - 11:55
We have to care for ourselves as well as others. If you don't care for yourself, you aren't around to give anything to others. I heard Susan L. Taylor speak and she talked about being part divine and part human. If we are part divine, we understand and know the necessity to care for ourselves AND others. It's the human, selfish part that gets us into the selfish mode of not caring for anyone else...let alone ourselves. It can be selfish to not take care of yourself, because you're robbing others of your full potential, of allowing them to see you at your best. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself - Luke 10:27. Love others, give to others...and do the same good works for yourself. Seems simple, yet sometimes can be difficult for some to do - for whatever reason. Like I typed initially - some people just don't get it... : )