There wasn't much good in the news this week. There were the senseless murders at Fort Hood and in Orlando, the national unemployment rate rose to double digits, and our lawmakers and TV and radio pundits continued to bicker over healthcare reform while millions of Americans go without health insurance. News like that doesn't do much for your mood, especially when you're already teetering on the edge of depression, as I have been all week. Thanks to 24-hour news—in my humble opinion, one of the worst things that's ever happened to us as a nation—it's difficult to avoid the bad news and almost impossible to find any good news. It's hard not to lose faith in your fellow man when you're constantly bombarded with images of yellow police tape cordoning off the latest mass murder site, and of people shouting cruel invectives at each other over something as fundamental as the right to have access to good, and affordable, health care. It makes me want to shout, "Life's too short. Trust me. I've learned that lesson. Can't we just try to get along? Can't we look beyond our own selfish interests long enough to see there are people all around us who could use some help?"
Yesterday, my faith in mankind was restored, at least for a little while. A good friend recruited me to work at an "Empty Bowls" fund raiser for the local Harry Chapin Food Bank. Colorful pottery bowls, made by local high school students, were sold for $10 each, and everyone who bought a bowl could have it—or a take-out container—filled with one of at least a half dozen kinds of delicious soup donated by local restaurants. Volunteers of all ages were on hand to sell tickets, serve the soup, clean up, or do whatever else was needed. Musical groups from the local schools provided entertainment while their proud parents and grandparents looked on. The weather was perfect. and people were happy to be there supporting a good cause. I was happy to be there with my friends helping out in some small way. And, at least for those few hours, all seemed right with the world.
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Isn't it truly amazing how reaching our hands outward we find we have the capacity and endless opportunities to help others who are in much more dire straights?!?! I have always found it to rejuvenate my soul after volunteering for causes such as you did. Keep it up! It will really make a difference is someone's life and maybe even yours!!
ReplyDeleteI felt sad as I read the first part of this posting, but was very uplifted by the last part. What a great project, and how well the organizers made it even more a wonderful community event than a fund-raiser. I am happy that you took part and that you were happy there. Two past volunteering experiences I had were at a weekly supper for the needy and at an inner city mission--both gave me much more than I gave. Someday I will again volunteer on a regular basis somewhere. Helping on these ongoing projects helped give a sense of purpose to the other parts of my life. I hope that you can find some way to help others more frequently.
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