Church was out in the Community This Past Weekend

Please forgive me for being a bit preachy today…but, in addition to presenting posts about the public relations industry I do like from time to time to write about things in my life that make me a better person. And this past weekend was one of those examples.  And it’s best described in the first two paragraphs of the national best-seller by Pastor Rick Warren, “A Purpose Driven Life.”

If you are reading this post and want to stop, please don’t.  I promise that the message will benefit you no matter your religious views or what you think of Pastor Rick.  But, his opening salvo, is right on for everyone.

“It’s not about you.

The purpose of your life if far greater that your own personal fulfillment, your peace of  mind, or even your happiness.  It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.  You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

What really gets me is the first line- “It’s not about me.” And here’s why.

For those of you who personally know me, you are aware that I am in transition.  My career has been interrupted and I believe it has for a reason.  Due to this break in the action, I am becoming a “richer” person by being able to receive additional training and being able to devote more time to others.  I am learning “it’s not about me.”  The stuff that I am learning for me, I now want to share with you, my loyal readers.  I am learning that my education, skills, talents and experiences are not only intended for me, but they are meant to be shared with others who in turn will do the same and continue to help others.

If you happened to catch Bret Michaels (The Celebrity Apprentice, Lead Singer of Poison) on “Oprah” last week you heard him talk about the only things that mattered to him while he was in the hospital with a potentially life threatening brain hemorrhage. He said the only thoughts he had in his mind were of his family and loved ones.  That’s who he wanted nearby.  At that crucial time, he wasn’t focusing on his accolades or how much stuff that he owns or how big a celebrity he is….at the core…all that mattered was his family and that thought became real to me just this morning.

Bret Michaels understands life's true precious gifts. He's holding one in his arms - his daughter Raine.

For you see, for the last five years my church (Whittier Area Community Church ) “kicks” us out – yes it actually closes its doors and offers us volunteer projects to sign-up for to help the community. These projects cover a wide range of objectives from landscaping public playgrounds, feeding the firefighters, painting teacher’s lounges, fixing up a pregnancy clinic, repairing computers to helping single moms with odds and ends.  There’s something for everyone.  And my projects this year were not my typical – it was a great feeling stepping out of my comfort zone.

Thanks to my mom’s prodding I joined her for a project that scares me to death – we visited the neighborhood hospice homes and provided singing to the patients there who literally come to this wonderful home/hospital for their last breaths. Everyday the staff there deals with how to make people’s lives the most comfortable as possible as their lives on earth end.  They are there for the patient and the caretakers. They are angels.  So, a group of volunteers gathered in the living room of this house and we sang.  It’s well documented that the last sense to go is hearing and I know that to be true for I experienced it with my father.  So as we sang songs like “Amazing Grace,” one particular family member of a patient came out and told us that our singing made her unconscious family member smile.  And that smile was the best gift to the caregiver as well for who doesn’t want the best for the people whom you love who are in pain.

The point I really want to make is — I received much more than that patient did in return. That smile made me feel like I was born for a purpose and my life has purpose. All it took was me spending one hour out of  the year when it wasn’t about me.  I shed so many tears during this project for I sensed how precious life really is and at these times, when someone we love is passing that everything else in life is so unimportant.  Things like the economy, unemployment, the oil spill, bills, etc.  What matters is exactly what Bret Michaels said-it’s our loved ones.  You want them close, they are all that matter and if you can bring a smile to their last moments….is there anything better?

After we concluded with visiting those patients we then stopped by a local transitional housing facility and meant some more incredible people.  Although we all come from different walks of life and circumstances, we all face obstacles and hurdles and trials.  And it’s far easier going through them with others by your side offering support than alone.  We sat in a circle and supported one another and we just talked. We shared our concerns and prodded each other on, providing encouragement and a dose of hope.  It was great medicine for everyone.

I’m going to be extremely honest here now and say…my biggest worry about getting my next job is that I don’t want it to consume my life like it has before. I was recently reminded of this when I attended my industry’s convention last week. The entire time I was there I listened to those walking the floor and all I could hear non-stop was everything about work, work, work-I don’t mind talking business, but I also like to talk about things in life too.  Don’t get me wrong-one should put in a the work required for the job….but, for me, in my next job I don’t want to loose the power behind making someone smile alongside the work.  For “it’s not about me.”  It’s about making a difference in others lives…even if I only do it once a year when my church closes its doors.

This weekend was life changing, in a good way.  My hope is that it inspires you to do volunteer as well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on volunteering.  So many people do remarkable work as volunteers and I’d love for you to share.

Thank you for allowing me to tell you how “Serve Weekend” impacted me, making me a better person.

Cindy