@postaday 361; #postaday2011.
I bet some of you who read my blog don’t really know me in real life, or some of you who know me in real life a little bit, might think my life is great. I have a tendency to write up a situation. I mean, write it up as in spin it as positively as I can. Why? Well, I do want you to think well of me, my thoughts, and my life. I write truth, but I add color because I can. I spin a tale to encourage others. I spin a tale to encourage my family and myself.
Of course life isn’t always great and loads of fun. No life is. But what do you allow to have the most weight? Do you let anger weigh down your attitude? Do you let gratitude turn your frown upside down?
Today I was the woman on the sidewalk with a big, heavy load walking back to work from the warehouse store. I really could have used some help. But i got nearly all of what I was carrying into a big bag and managed to get back to the Mothership without any trouble. Fortunately, I drove in to town today, so I was able to put it into my van before I even came back up to my cube. Yes, it was very heavy, but I was doing it for my family, the family I’m lucky to have, the family I would do anything for.
I used to groan and grumble when asked to run an errand, but now I don’t. When what you do is less about you and more about making someone else happy, it’s doable.
Before I took off for the warehouse store, I was treated to lunch at work as part of HMSA’s Circle of Caring volunteer group. I helped with a few things throughout the year, and HMSA treats us to a holiday celebration to show its thanks. Our efforts put a face on our organization. I realize that the business of health care is more about risks and rates, and that its value is best achieved when less utilization occurs. But there is a chicken-egg-chicken thing going on here as well. When volunteers like us give up our personal time to improve the community, to have conversations with people worried about the future of their health care premiums, to demonstrate how healthy activities lead to happier lives, those points of contact nudge along the Mothership’s mission of maintaining a healthy membership.
When I first saw my colleagues volunteering at a health fair or at a community cleanup project, I wasn’t sure I wanted to get involved. I have so much going in my personal life, that I don’t have much time to spare. But I’d see them in action and noticed how much fun they were having. So I decided to step up.
I assure you, if you are reluctant to volunteer for a group activity with your colleagues, you are missing out. It not only looks like fun, it is fun. Consider stepping up a few times in 2012. Allow yourself to know joy by giving it to others.
Lavagal 