Spinning Wheels....round and round...

[Jen]

Thought I'd share this post I recently uploaded to my Charitable Deeds project site. I wonder if any of you have felt this way....

Beyond helping my family with everyday projects, chores and providing attention as needed, I didn't do any charitable deeds today. In fact, I don't think we even left our property.

Le'me think.

Um.....

Nope!

I do have a confession to make. This seems like as good a time as any.

I feel sometimes like my efforts are pointless. They've been insignificant gestures, really. These deeds have been just too minor, and my efforts to do larger deeds haven't been that successful. (See the earlier hopes for a Pajama Project event.)

I had hoped that, by doing good for others, those folks might pass on the sentiment to others. Not to ME, just whoever stepped into their lives next, or in need of some help they could provide. But I'm not even making a difference in my own neighborhood. We've picked up trash only to find the streets and sidewalks and park littered again the next day. We've taken out neighbors' trash cans, brought them back in, picked up their newspapers when they're away, all unbidden. It shouldn't matter that they don't know who's doing this for them. It shouldn't even matter that someone HAS done this for them. But when we go out of town for a day or three, do they even bother to toss our newspapers toward the front door? No. Our papers lay in the driveway or on the front lawn or wherever they may fall, soaking up dew and sprinkler spit, announcing our home's vacancy, until our return. How long would they let this go on? (Hmmm...I feel a sociology experiment coming on.)

I know I shouldn't expect much, if anything, from others; that if I WANT someone to pick up my papers while we're away, I should just ask. But the newspaper detail is one that completely skips my mind as I pack for a family of four and head out the door, so I never THINK to ask a neighbor. And I ALLOW myself to be disappointed when I see the collection in the front yard.

I know that. I'll work on it.

But today I did for my family, with my family.

Sure, I collected my recycling in their proper bins, turned off unnecessary lights, kept water consumption low. But there were no gestures to outsiders, no door opening for strangers, no trash pick up outside our own place.

[Jen]

Thanks, Jenny, Nina, Mike and Amanda. I'm particularly happy to hear, Mike, that you've shared my efforts with your students and that even the idea of the little deeds has made a difference!

[Amanda Ritter]

Someone throws my two dogs bones over the front fence - we frequently come home to them chewing happily and wonder who is looking after them like this while we are at work... I have my suspicions...
No one collects our papers when we are away, although I have noticed them missing sometimes when we ARE at home...
There's good stuff and bad stuff and we all just need to keep doing what WE think is right and how WE are comfortable working in the world - be the change - after all, you can only change your own behaviour...
If home is all you do in a day and build your own little circle that is just fine...other days you will impact on wider circles.

[Mike Poluk]

Hi Jen. A couple of months ago when you first posted about your charitable deeds (such as the pyjama drive) I showed your blog posts to my students. They were inspired by your daily efforts to make the world a better place, and as a matter of fact they were particularly impressed by two things: you weren't just focused on the "big efforts", you made a point of performing smaller, less glamourous (but still important) initiatives. We specifically discussed how important it is to improve our world one small step at a time. Secondly, we appreciated the fact that you were taking the time to spread your message by blogging about your service efforts. I apologize for not communicating this to you earlier, but I think that it's important for you to know that your efforts are not a waste of time. You inspired us to refocus on our goal of making a difference in the world. Thank you Jen! Please don't get discouraged, and please don't stop writing about your journey. You have an audience!

[Jenny Luca]

I can empathise with you Jen. I, too, have seen my life spin out of control of late. It is hard to remain positive and upbeat when all around you is chaos. I suppose this space has been one of the things in my life that helps to keep things grounded. When I see the effect educators here are having on the kids they teach, I know that there is good in the world.There are people who choose to direct people towards positive actions that assist and support others. And that's wonderful. : )

[Jen]

Thanks Jenny & Nina. We're hitting the road today and hope to find some good deeds along the way. When we return, we'll venture back into the positive. ;)

I think part of the issue lately is that our lives are so danged busy! EVERYONE is busy, but we're busier than usual for US. I'm spending all of my spare time trying to wrap up work on my next book. But I have to squeeze that in between daily family and teaching obligations. All other hobbies have gone by the wayside for now, so more involved deeds, like the quilt project or pajama drives, are out for the time being. I suspect all that has something to do with this negative feeling.

Thank you for listening, and sharing!

[NinaD]

Hi Jen,
I don't know what happened to my last comment. I just wrote that someone always puts my mum's bins out for her. She doesn't know who it is, but she's always grateful and I guess it restores her faith in humanity. It's a lovely gesture by a neighbor and it warms the heart. I am grateful and it reminds me of the fairytale, 'The Elves & the Shoemakers'. You are making a difference! Cheers Nina

[Jenny Luca]

I know it can get frustrating, but hopefully we can support one another here. I know that hearing what people are doing inspires me to move forward and I hope it can do the same for you Jen. : )

[Jen]

Jenny wrote: I wish you would allow the comments to appear on this post. (TADAH! Ask and...)
I am sure others in this community would share with you how your actions do make a difference. Yes it is frustrating if people don't seem to respond, but imagine of there was no-one like you and your family in the world willing to do something to make a difference in the lives of others. If we all give up I despair that the world would become a very sad place indeed. I think you are providing an excellent example for your children and this is where the difference will be made. You are raising informed and caring citizens and that is important.

[Jen]

There we go! Now anyone can comment here! :) Sorry about that. Still haven't mastered the site. Already, I've received a couple of positive responses from some of the ning's best cheerleaders. THanks! :) I'm not completely giving up, I just get frustrated, you know?

I'll work on it!