My mother (who volunteered in some capacity almost every day) told me, as I prepared to volunteer at a camp for children with disabilities….. “Keep your eye on the ball…. on why YOU are there. So when the parents yell, the children scream, the doctors snap at you, and you’re utterly exhausted, you’ll remember you’re there to make a difference, even if it’s small….then just keep going”
I told my 4 daughters growing up in deciding what to do with their lives to be sure to chose something that matters- and something they enjoy. Because they would be doing it a long time- for a lot of ordinary days, and even some discouraging ones. Love this reminder to hold onto the enjoyment. Smile IN your days work AND when it is done.
A key to understanding this article is knowing who “they” are. Sure “they” might be politicians, but that’s an easy one. “They” are also other people in our lives who dwell on the negative. “They” can’t seem to find ways to be happy and or find joy, so they try to force you to exist in the same pig sty they live in. If “they” can’t be happy then by golly no one else will be either. Sometimes “they” don’t even realize “they” are doing it. It becomes so ingrained in “their” lives it becomes the new normal…living to argue, demean, and stomp you down. No amount of participation in “their” ugly world will change “them.” What we can do is continue to be genuine and share the happiness and joy of what we do each day. If we are lucky maybe a little of that happiness and joy will shine on “them.” Just maybe it might help them to feel better about “themselves.” As Sharon advises, keep being the genuine you. Keep doing the important work. And most of all keep finding the joy in that which you do. And perhaps, just maybe, “their” heart might grow three sizes from their interactions with you,
My take in what you are saying, Dennis, is that we need to learn how to love ourselves better each day so we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves.
And in my experience , what I do and have done doesn't define who I am. Socrates said " know thyself" and it has taken me a lifetime to realize what that means , at least , to me.
Interesting perspective. I see what I have done as being a guiding force as to who I am right now. Without those experiences, good and bad, I likely wouldn’t make the same decisions which is the “what I do” part.
I see your point, as past experiences can shape our decisions of what we may decide to do in the future ,as in , when we do something wrong ,why do it the same way again, right? We learn from our mistakes , also known as, trial and error.
If ever there were a universal call to arms against the forces trying to unravel Our Great American Experiment, this is it! And the thing is, it isn't fairy dust or wishful thinking; it's the personal power of caring people on steroids.
And it's not only powerful at the individual level; that's the unbeatable foundation. It also operates within the massive movement of Americans organizing around energetic non-profits, Substack accounts, focus groups, and an endless array of so-called "average" Americans gathering together for a reason or a purpose, deciding to make a difference.
This doesn't require anyone's permission; it isn't vulnerable to erosion by mean-spirited anti-Americans who parade as government officials; it has its own supply of fuel that can't be cut off by some arbitrary control freak; it has too many moving parts to keep track of; it is in a constant state of refreshing itself; when one fades or pauses for internal reasons, two more show up.
It is the American Spirit in action and, when fully activated, will once again pull us out of our power dive into oblivion orchestrated by pseudo-citizens who have neither an understanding of nor belief in what ignited this endeavor 250 years ago.
Of course, it is not easy. It never has been, nor will it be. A lot of damage has been done and some of it is permanent. So we will, once again, be called upon to reinvent ourselves. And we will. The PREAMBLE is one of the communities of inspired Americans that will sustain the endeavor. How fortunate; how timely; how essential; how potent.
Thank you for this important reminder. I agree that the best way to counter the discouragement of growing authoritarianism is to continue doing good work, particularly for those being harmed by this administration. I have to keep reminding myself to "do the next right thing." That's the best way to maintain hope, I think.
What wonderful advice! I am a psychotherapist hoping to work until age 75 because my work is meaningful and I truly enjoy it. I do volunteer work that I love. I have hobbies that give me delight. I sometimes have to work my way back to the point of finding meaning, love and delight when I am burned out, but there is always a “refresh” button at some point. I sometimes feel guilty enjoying anything at all when our nation is going up into flames and the world feels like it is falling apart. But, as you so wisely noted, there is power in not letting others steal our joy. The energy that comes from our moments of joy can help us support, encourage and inspire others. We are stronger together.
I know you don’t know me, Brenda, but I will carry a piece of your grief with me today as I prayerfully go through my day. 💜🙏 I am so, so sorry for your devastating loss.
I feel your grief ,Brenda ,as I was devastated by what happened this past Fourth of July in Flood Alley and believe that a generous settlement is certainly called for by those who have lost their little loved ones there. Griefs end will come eventually but only time will heal it ,as I know what it's like to lose loved ones. I offer my best wishes to you and yours ,as well as my condolence.
I love this timely reminder. Thank you! This little light of mine; I'm going to let it shine. Blessings to you, your family and our entire Preamble family this beautiful Christmas Eve.
My mother (who volunteered in some capacity almost every day) told me, as I prepared to volunteer at a camp for children with disabilities….. “Keep your eye on the ball…. on why YOU are there. So when the parents yell, the children scream, the doctors snap at you, and you’re utterly exhausted, you’ll remember you’re there to make a difference, even if it’s small….then just keep going”
I told my 4 daughters growing up in deciding what to do with their lives to be sure to chose something that matters- and something they enjoy. Because they would be doing it a long time- for a lot of ordinary days, and even some discouraging ones. Love this reminder to hold onto the enjoyment. Smile IN your days work AND when it is done.
Who needed to be reminded of this today? 🙋♀️
A key to understanding this article is knowing who “they” are. Sure “they” might be politicians, but that’s an easy one. “They” are also other people in our lives who dwell on the negative. “They” can’t seem to find ways to be happy and or find joy, so they try to force you to exist in the same pig sty they live in. If “they” can’t be happy then by golly no one else will be either. Sometimes “they” don’t even realize “they” are doing it. It becomes so ingrained in “their” lives it becomes the new normal…living to argue, demean, and stomp you down. No amount of participation in “their” ugly world will change “them.” What we can do is continue to be genuine and share the happiness and joy of what we do each day. If we are lucky maybe a little of that happiness and joy will shine on “them.” Just maybe it might help them to feel better about “themselves.” As Sharon advises, keep being the genuine you. Keep doing the important work. And most of all keep finding the joy in that which you do. And perhaps, just maybe, “their” heart might grow three sizes from their interactions with you,
My take in what you are saying, Dennis, is that we need to learn how to love ourselves better each day so we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves.
Definitely a big part of it. We have to find happiness in who we are and what we do.
And in my experience , what I do and have done doesn't define who I am. Socrates said " know thyself" and it has taken me a lifetime to realize what that means , at least , to me.
Interesting perspective. I see what I have done as being a guiding force as to who I am right now. Without those experiences, good and bad, I likely wouldn’t make the same decisions which is the “what I do” part.
I see your point, as past experiences can shape our decisions of what we may decide to do in the future ,as in , when we do something wrong ,why do it the same way again, right? We learn from our mistakes , also known as, trial and error.
If ever there were a universal call to arms against the forces trying to unravel Our Great American Experiment, this is it! And the thing is, it isn't fairy dust or wishful thinking; it's the personal power of caring people on steroids.
And it's not only powerful at the individual level; that's the unbeatable foundation. It also operates within the massive movement of Americans organizing around energetic non-profits, Substack accounts, focus groups, and an endless array of so-called "average" Americans gathering together for a reason or a purpose, deciding to make a difference.
This doesn't require anyone's permission; it isn't vulnerable to erosion by mean-spirited anti-Americans who parade as government officials; it has its own supply of fuel that can't be cut off by some arbitrary control freak; it has too many moving parts to keep track of; it is in a constant state of refreshing itself; when one fades or pauses for internal reasons, two more show up.
It is the American Spirit in action and, when fully activated, will once again pull us out of our power dive into oblivion orchestrated by pseudo-citizens who have neither an understanding of nor belief in what ignited this endeavor 250 years ago.
Of course, it is not easy. It never has been, nor will it be. A lot of damage has been done and some of it is permanent. So we will, once again, be called upon to reinvent ourselves. And we will. The PREAMBLE is one of the communities of inspired Americans that will sustain the endeavor. How fortunate; how timely; how essential; how potent.
Nicely said.
Thank you ❤️
Thank you for this important reminder. I agree that the best way to counter the discouragement of growing authoritarianism is to continue doing good work, particularly for those being harmed by this administration. I have to keep reminding myself to "do the next right thing." That's the best way to maintain hope, I think.
Great way to sum it up - do the next right thing!
Good point.
Merry Christmas, Sharon. Thanks for being you.
well said! -thank you for the reminder that we can all make a difference!
What wonderful advice! I am a psychotherapist hoping to work until age 75 because my work is meaningful and I truly enjoy it. I do volunteer work that I love. I have hobbies that give me delight. I sometimes have to work my way back to the point of finding meaning, love and delight when I am burned out, but there is always a “refresh” button at some point. I sometimes feel guilty enjoying anything at all when our nation is going up into flames and the world feels like it is falling apart. But, as you so wisely noted, there is power in not letting others steal our joy. The energy that comes from our moments of joy can help us support, encourage and inspire others. We are stronger together.
We are trying but our grief feels unbearable as we lost my granddaughter in the tragic Camp Mystic flood.
I know you don’t know me, Brenda, but I will carry a piece of your grief with me today as I prayerfully go through my day. 💜🙏 I am so, so sorry for your devastating loss.
I feel your grief ,Brenda ,as I was devastated by what happened this past Fourth of July in Flood Alley and believe that a generous settlement is certainly called for by those who have lost their little loved ones there. Griefs end will come eventually but only time will heal it ,as I know what it's like to lose loved ones. I offer my best wishes to you and yours ,as well as my condolence.
I am so very sorry for your devastating loss. I’m a grandma, too, and know it would be unbearable.
My heart is with you and I also will carry a piece of your grief with me through these holidays and challenging times. I am a Nana to three girls. ❤️
Well said, Sharon and so hopeful, too.
I love that you included a retired grandma! Such encouraging words. Thank you for all you do!
I love you, Ms Sharon 💕
Merry Christmas!
I love this timely reminder. Thank you! This little light of mine; I'm going to let it shine. Blessings to you, your family and our entire Preamble family this beautiful Christmas Eve.