For my Service Learning, I worked at the Stanwood Camano Food Bank on Fridays. So far I’ve put in 10 ½ hours doing a variety of jobs between recycling old boxes, organizing donated plastic bags for groceries, restocking food, filling up containers full of laundry detergent, and helping the many men, women, and children that come for food take the loaded grocery cart to their cars.
When I first arrived to the food bank I can’t recall having that many expectations. I came with a ready heart with the motivation to be as much help as I possibly could. Being there really helped reopen up my eyes to how much I take for granted. Every day I have fresh food to eat, clean clothes to wear, hot water to my dispense, a car to drive, and roof over my head. Many low income families can’t take these things for granted. Having the leisure to take a long shower, toss clothes in a washing machine (in your own home) because you got a small stain, choose from a variety of food options and drive your own car; those things all cost a considerable amount of money and too much of one thing might take away from something else more important.
Giving out food and other toiletries reminded me to be thankful for what I do have and it challenges me to reconsider what’s really important in life. Do I really need to drive my car every day, or could I carpool with someone on occasion? Should I really concern myself about eating something I may not like? Do I really need to spend a dollar on junk food from the local vending machine? What if I left the lights in the house on a little less? Do I really need to use the dishwasher or could I live without it and wash everything by hand? Though it’s nice to treat myself on occasion, If I spent a little less time on myself, I could spend more time impacting the lives of others in a positive way. Life is short, why not make a difference and show others less fortunate a ray of hope.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Acts of Kindness
Whether your helping out a small village in Pakistan build a school, or in the small little town of Stanwood Washington giving out food for the hungry at a local food bank, a task is a task no matter how great or how small.
Mortenson, the main character of the book Three Cups of Tea, written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, probably had no idea how much of an impact he would make when he stumbled upon a small village on his hike up the mountain and accepted his first cup of tea from Hiji Ali's wife. He probably had no idea how much he would impact the people of Korphe When he showed signs of concern for their education, used his medical skills to bring aid to some of the sick, and promised when he returned to the small village, he would build them a school. The fact of the matter is Mortenson did impact the Pakistani people not only in Korphe, but all throughout Pakistan as well. One little act of kindness led to a whole new lifestyle for Mortenson and all that started it was a little respect for a culture, a stirred interest in their lifestyle, and a concern to improve their future. Though his efforts didn't prove easy, the ripple effects from his efforts proved phenomenal as can be seen recorded in this passage of Three Cups of Tea:
It had taken Mortenson more than three years, years of false steps, failures, and delays , to drive the Korphe School from promise to completion. Having taken his mistakes to heart, with the money finally to make his vision a reality and a staff and army of volunteers who were passionately dedicated to improving the lives of Balti children, Greg Mortenson’s CAI built three more primary schools in only three months (Mortenson 191).
Likewise, When I joined up with the Stanwood Camano Food bank, I too would not know how much of an impact on the lives of the families that stop by in need for food, and the truth is, I may never know until one day I stand before the Creator of the universe and he reveals to me the impact my life had on earth. My small piece of the puzzle involves simple tasks like stacking boxes that will be loaded with bread, canned fruit, vegetables, along with other non perishable items, to labeling paper bags that will later be filled with flour or pancake batter, or pushing a rickety shopping cart, full of groceries, to a car. Sometimes my task seems so small and almost insignificant, but for people who may not have a lot of food, to them, getting a shopping cart full of food, could be as significant, if not more, than building a bridge for people living in Korphe. Food nurtures the body allowing men and women to keep fighting for a better lifestyle, whereas a school in Korphe provided an education for the hope of a better future.
So when you begin to question how significant your act of kindness is, don't. No matter how great or small an act of kindness may seem, an act of kindness can go a long ways.
Mortenson, the main character of the book Three Cups of Tea, written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, probably had no idea how much of an impact he would make when he stumbled upon a small village on his hike up the mountain and accepted his first cup of tea from Hiji Ali's wife. He probably had no idea how much he would impact the people of Korphe When he showed signs of concern for their education, used his medical skills to bring aid to some of the sick, and promised when he returned to the small village, he would build them a school. The fact of the matter is Mortenson did impact the Pakistani people not only in Korphe, but all throughout Pakistan as well. One little act of kindness led to a whole new lifestyle for Mortenson and all that started it was a little respect for a culture, a stirred interest in their lifestyle, and a concern to improve their future. Though his efforts didn't prove easy, the ripple effects from his efforts proved phenomenal as can be seen recorded in this passage of Three Cups of Tea:
It had taken Mortenson more than three years, years of false steps, failures, and delays , to drive the Korphe School from promise to completion. Having taken his mistakes to heart, with the money finally to make his vision a reality and a staff and army of volunteers who were passionately dedicated to improving the lives of Balti children, Greg Mortenson’s CAI built three more primary schools in only three months (Mortenson 191).
Likewise, When I joined up with the Stanwood Camano Food bank, I too would not know how much of an impact on the lives of the families that stop by in need for food, and the truth is, I may never know until one day I stand before the Creator of the universe and he reveals to me the impact my life had on earth. My small piece of the puzzle involves simple tasks like stacking boxes that will be loaded with bread, canned fruit, vegetables, along with other non perishable items, to labeling paper bags that will later be filled with flour or pancake batter, or pushing a rickety shopping cart, full of groceries, to a car. Sometimes my task seems so small and almost insignificant, but for people who may not have a lot of food, to them, getting a shopping cart full of food, could be as significant, if not more, than building a bridge for people living in Korphe. Food nurtures the body allowing men and women to keep fighting for a better lifestyle, whereas a school in Korphe provided an education for the hope of a better future.
So when you begin to question how significant your act of kindness is, don't. No matter how great or small an act of kindness may seem, an act of kindness can go a long ways.
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