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1. JoB
   Member Profile

   life can seem pretty bleak at times...
   there is so much in life that is wrong
   and it can feel that there is nothing we can do to change that

   so, what do you do when you discover that there is something you really can do something about?

   For me that question arose the second time i visited MIWS in Nickelsville.

   I was standing by the security tent talking with Mike when i was asked if it was possible for me to go fill a few water jugs because they were totally out of water.

   I said no.

   I was in the middle of a busy day and i had obligations...
   next on my list was sitting with a friend who was terminal.

   besides.. i had dogs in the car and there wasn't much room and i am not exactly strong enough to be hefting water jugs...

   I turned back to my conversation
   and suddenly realized what i had just said...

   that taking the time to get water for people was not important enough to disrupt my precious schedule.

   Here was something i really could do something about.

   I couldn't fix the greater problem of a water resource for Nickelsville,
   but i could get in my car and take a volunteer and 5 5gallon jugs to a nearby parent's house to fill.

   When i think of that moment I don't pat myself on the back.

   I think of how easy it was for me to make that split second decision to turn my back on 50+ people who didn't have water on a hot day.

   I have since talked to many of the people who show up at Nickelsville on a regular basis to lend a hand.

   For all of us it comes down to that one single issue. We saw that there was something we could do that would make a difference.

   Now you might think this is just a thinly veiled pitch to get you to go find out what you can do to help the people at Nickelsville.. or even to help the homeless.

   That would be wonderful.. but i realize that you might have other things on your plate.

   Your aha moment might be kids looking for a coach for their soccer team.. or the elderly next door neighbor whose lawn needs mowing... or simply opening the door and offering to carry someone's groceries.

   it is so easy for us to get caught up in our everyday lives and forget how little it takes to help someone else.

   Sometimes.. something as small as taking the time to really listen can transform someone else's life.

   So.. what do you do when you find there is something you could do?

   Do you instinctively turn your back like i did?

   Or do you ask yourself if there is some way you can help?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

2. Jiggers
   Member Profile

   

   JoB...Sometimes you just can't change what people think about others. They apparentley have a heart surrounded by a concrete wall. I've learned even the smallest token of kindness can go far. It also helps you to heal inside as well. You don't need to justify what and why you are doing it. There are a lot more people here who supprt you than just a few hypocrites that don't. Helping others out has its great rewards whether big or small. Keep fighting the good fight.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

3. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   I have been lucky enough through the illness that I have right now to have friends who have helped me out. Grocery shopping, a lunch out, rides to a myriad of doc appointments. These friends are people who I have met through the West Seattle Blog forum. How lucky can I be to have friends like this. They go out of their way at times, rearrange their schedule to support me. It is so appreciated, they have no idea. I can't say thank you enough. JoB is one of them. I am constantly amazed at her inner strength...and appreciative that she is the kind of person she is. When I am "fixed" (kidney transplant), hopefully I will be able to give some back.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

4. miws
   Member Profile

   

   Thank you for this, JoB.

   One aha moment for me was nearly three years ago when I got out of the hospital after a lengthy stay.

   I was so fortunate to not have any pain, but had to work several weeks to rebuild my physical strength, and even at that, it was nearly three months until I rebuilt it fully.

   What I learned from that, is how hard it is to get around with a walker, (which I used for bout the first three weeks).

   The borrowed walker I used, was one of the regular old no frills type, with two wheels, and rubber cane/crutch tips on the other two legs. Using one of those in that manner, and the obnoxious sound it emits, one realizes real quick why so many people put tennis balls over the cane tips! ;-)

   I soon realized how tough using the walker was. Every little crack in the sidewalk, even grooves that were incorporated in the construction of the sidewalk, buckled parts where tree roots are trying to break though, all of these make the struggle of wheeling the walker even more of one.

   Anyway, although I've always tried to be of help to those with physical limitations, I've been much more aware of it since then; being more observant of someone with mobility issues needing to have a door opened, and outstretched hand to help someone off the bus, help on/off the bus with one of those little folding shopping carts or a stroller.

   The only thing I need to remember, in many cases, is to simply be there to "catch" the person, and having to resist the desire to almost pick them up and lift them onto the bus. I was on the receiving end of those good intentions a few times during my recovery, and not only were they a bit of a hindrance to the recovery, they could have been counterproductive, literally throwing me off balance. So, yeah, I've learned to be ready to assist only if actually needed.

   Many people that deal with chronic mobility or whatever issues, need to be able to function as normally as they possibly can in the real world, and the best help another person can be, is to simply be observant, and ready to spring into action, should it look like the individual is about to fall, or otherwise about to be put in a dangerous situation.

   Mike

   Posted 10 months ago #         

5. Bostonman
   Member Profile

   I say nice job to you. There are not many people like that around anymore.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

6. JoB
   Member Profile

   thanks everyone...

   but i think the point i wanted to make is that most of us mean well..

   but we all have busy lives and have become so accustomed to our lives of plenty
   that it simply doesn't occur to us that people in our community suffer for lack of essentials
   like food or water or shelter...

   and that sometimes
   there is something simple we can do about it.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

7. JoB
   Member Profile

   I have to say that the backlash from this post almost makes me sorry i posted it.

   almost.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

8. Jo
   Member Profile

   Backlash? What backlash?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

9. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   Jo...see the thread "This post is for you". Guess there are some who feel that JoB is just blowing her horn, instead of encouraging others to help the world in whatever way they can.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

10. Jo
    Member Profile

    Thanks, JanS. I wasn't seeing anything on this thread...but am aware of "Post is for you" thread. Was confused re: JoBs posting.
    I'm rather torn on this subject.
    I was brought up with "do your good deed, or what you feel you must do, and keep it to yourself." And that's pretty much what I do.
    However, there is that aspect of any given situation that needs to be broadcast. Not so much my part in it, but letting people know of a great need..
    Soooooo....sometimes it's a fine line.
    But the biggest turnoff to me is 'lecturing' and, frankly, some posts on these forums come across that way. I am NOT pointing fingers with that statement, just making the statement.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

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