You make a difference in the dash. ~ by DJ Cronin
Life is short. In the scheme of things this often quoted saying must be true. Our planet has been here for millions of years - our universe billions.
On our headstones will be the etching of when we were born and the date when we died. For example 1960 - 2050.
What matters to me are not the two years mentioned. It is the dash. That little dash. That's our life. That represents to me the short time we have, here, to make a difference, or not.
And making a difference means so many different things to so many people. But for you, the volunteer, what you do during that dash is most significant.
You can give me money for my cause. Sure. But I may pay that back to you. Say you give a dollar a month. It is appreciated without doubt. It is your dollar. However you may pick it up elsewhere. Something extra you do. Some other way of earning that buck. But how do we give back time?
As a volunteer you give time. Time. The most precious resource in our lives.
Look at the dash. How many hours are in there? It's not billions. It's not infinite. Money can be printed. Time cannot.
*Please volunteer to visit our lonely and forgotten elderly. Call today. ♥
Once you give an hour of your time it is lost forever. That hour you just gave volunteering will never be replicated.
Your time volunteering must be valued but we can never put a value on that time. How can you value something that is priceless?
As a volunteer you bring much. Skills, advice, experience, friendship, vision, leadership, inspiration etc. That you bring. But time you give. In our time poor world you bear the gift of time. You choose to donate the most precious commodity in the known universe.
We may count your time in numbers. We may attempt to count your time in cash value. Though such methods have their reasons we will all be poorer if we don't realize that the giving of your time is simply and utterly magnificent.
Source: The Forgotten Ones: Compassion for the Elderly
8 comments:
Thank you for the morning inspiraton.
How very true!
Volunteering is very rewarding.
When we visit the elderly and vulnerable in nursing home settings, not only do we keep them company and give them hope; we also remind staff and management that neglect in any form is intolerable.
Yes, very good reminder.
Time is the most precious gift we have to give anyone.
Many of us reading NASGA blog and website will be elderly. Old age sneaks up on people, each day is a gift no matter our age. How we spend our time giving of ourselves for nothing in return but deep satisfaction for giving back to society especially the elderly who built our country - have you thanked a veteran today for his / her service to our country? have you thanked a senior citizen for their efforts and sacrifices? If not, I suggest doing so before that generation is gone. Look in the mirror - we're next.
Very nice.
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