United We Sand....again!

It was now two years ago that I conceived of the "United We Sand" campaign, and once again, our region is in the midst of severe flooding. And once again, the members of our community (Fargo & Moorhead and surrounding communities) have come together, filling literally millions of sandbags in an effort to contain the waters and protect the homes and businesses we hold dear. People of all ages, have come together to do what they can to aid in the efforts in unprecedented numbers, expecting nothing in return and if fills my heart with joy.

I recently came across this quote...

And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.
Michelle Obama

That has been so true these past few months, more than ever...each of us has something to contribute. Helping a neighbor prepare for the flood, sharing information, filling sandbags, teaching others how to prepare, a friendly smile, opening a door for someone, allowing them to change lanes in traffic. Our community is far better off for it.

Why here, why now...again? I can say that living in this region and seeing the efforts of the community, I often feel the positive energy associated with the preparations for the flooding. I have seen people opening doors for each other, striking up a conversations with a stranger, and felt an overwhelming sense of compassion for our fellow human being. Interaction seems easier, friendlier, and more helpful. There is a change here, one that there is no mistaking, the act of selfless giving. Everyone doing their part, some part.

Does it require a natural disaster for us to give permission once again to be compassionate towards others? It is in the midst of crisis, that priorities tend to fall into order, there is no doubt. The challenge is, as the waters recede, how do we hang on to that sense of community? That spirit of giving as we begin to resume our "normal" lives.

Can we all quit our jobs and pursue a life of public service? Hardly, but we can give of ourselves, if only in our interactions with others, greeting each day and each other with an open heart. Finding our something may be as easy as just opening our eyes and seeing what is right before you.

United We Sand....again!

Dream a little dream...

Today I want to share a quote with you...

“You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Everything significant begins with a dream. Someone who isn't afraid to get out there and at the risk of being thought crazy step forward and share a dream within their heart. It isn't easy, to step up and state that you have a vision for something better, different or unusual. It is, however, necessary to bare your soul, reach higher, and dream that big hairy audacious dream!

That is going to look different for everyone, everyone has a different comfort level of sharing, of acting on inspiration, but the key is to push forward.

It's never too late...start thinking of you..."I wish I hads" and find ways to parallel them today. You can't go back and change the past, but what you can do is optimize what you are doing with what you have today. If you wished you had tried out for a part in your school play, find a community theater and give it a shot. Wish you had learned to cook, find an adult education class.

It is not too late, there is time, seize the day and start erasing the "wish I hads" from your life and start replacing them with the "I am so glad I dids!"

Why not?

What do you want?

For a change of pace this holiday season, I decided to pick up some hours at a retail store assisting customers with selecting cooking/baking supplies. It has been a wonderful experience, it has probably been 25 years since I have worked retail and it certainly was an interesting change of pace to be "an employee" again.

As I noticed each customer enter or residing in the store, I approached and asked a version of the same question; "Is there anything I can help you find?" To which, almost every single time is responded to by "No thank you.....actually I am looking for....(insert obscure gadget here)"

After seeing this in action at least a hundred times, I started to wonder....why do we have a problem asking for what we want/need? Are we so independent that we can't accept help, or in this self-service world has it just become uncommon to have help? Or have past experiences with overly pushing salespeople jaded us to allowing others to help us get what we need?

It mirrors another experience that happens nearly every time we eat out. It starts something like this:
Husband: Where do you want to eat?
Me: I don't know, where do YOU want to eat?
Husband: I don't care, where do YOU want to eat?
Me: Kentucky Fried Chicken (I only say this because I know he won't eat there)
And on it goes.....

Do neither of us know what we want, or not really care? No, we both have our favorites, but why are we afraid to ask for what we want? Or have we determined it is impolite to ask.

In the end, it is the customer who asks for what they really want, that in fact, find and get it, and are out of the store in record time. Which proves that you should be careful what you ask for....you might actually get it!

The thing is, you have to ask. Try it today and see what happens.