Perspective
Defined
By
Kathleen Murray
In
August of 2001, Aquarius introduced
you to “Kathleen Murray, A New
Kind of Activist”. She was setting
off on a journey around the nation,
volunteering her time for programs
that help disadvantaged children.
Murray worked in each setting for
30-45 days, serving in a wide variety
of capacities and demonstrating the
value of volunteerism. Below, Kathleen
offers inspiration and lessons gleaned
from her journey.-Editor
Everyone asks me what this year has
taught me. Have I grown? Has it changed
me? How can I volunteer with limited
time and resources? Does volunteering
really make a difference? These are
questions to which I have given serious
thought. I believe every experience
you live through offers you the opportunity
to grow and learn. One of this year's
most powerful lessons is “perspective”.
The other would be “appreciation”-
for this journey and so much more.
I have witnessed the most sacred life
has to offer, the best and worst of
human nature and I am constantly amazed
and filled with awe. Kindness is the
common thread that binds us all together
as a society. It is not only prevalent
but contagious. The kind of infectious
behavior that truly changes the world
one act of kindness at a time, one
day at a time, one person at a time.
What I have seen this year could fill
volumes. Since space is limited, here
is my short list of moments where
perspective has been defined, accompanied
by the lessons I have learned and
maybe some helpful suggestions on
how you can do your part to change
the world.
“I shall pass through this
world but once. Any good thing therefore
that I can do, or any kindness that
I can show to any human being, let
me do it now. Let me not defer it
or neglect it, for I shall not pass
this way again.” -(Etienne de
Grellet)
1. Being comforted by a HOMELESS
STREETKID who has no one (his mother
is on drugs and father is in jail)
when I mentioned I was
homesick. Jacob said, “I
know how you feel. I get lonely too...
you just can't let it get you
down.
Lesson: Perspective
What
a volunteer can do to change the life
of a streetkid:
Cook a hot meal for a program, train
to do outreach, listen, coordinate
a backpack drive, donate toiletries
and socks.
2.
Mentioning I was hungry and being
overheard by a little girl at a food
bank
getting food and supplies with her
Mom. Her response was to offer me
a
breakfast bar.
Lesson: True giving
What
a volunteer can do to help a food
bank:
show up to sort food, organize a food
drive, deliver the meals/food, work
in the office.
3.
Delivering food to a man with full
blown AIDS that barely had enough
strength to answer the door let alone
hold the box I was giving him. He
thanked me for showing up and caring.
Lesson: Appreciation
What
a volunteer can do to help a person
infected with HIV or AIDS:
deliver meals, hospital visits, be
a buddy, educate yourself, listen.
Volunteer