It's November and as Thanksgiving approaches, so many are talking about things for which they are thankful. I'm thankful for many things, but this year I'd like to share my thankfulness for my mother, or Lovey Mom as I call her.
My mother is the wisest person I know.
Over the years, I have shared my mother's wisdom with friends and I think they would agree; she's phenomenal! Not only is she wise, but she is loving and I can't imagine how different my life would be if I didn't have the knowledge of her unconditional love.
When I look at myself and how I choose to live my life, my mother's mark is everywhere. Concepts and truths which I use in my day to day life can be directly traced to lessons she taught me as a young child. They are simple and practical lesson but the way she conveyed these concepts was creative, immediately effective and unforgettable.
1. Remember to Share.
I must have been about 5 years old when the concept of sharing became very real to me. I was playing with a fascinating toy (which I think was called moon sand, but it's not like the moon sand of this generation). There was blue and white "sand" between Plexiglas and it would swirl and swirl. No matter which way you turned it, the colors wouldn't mix. While I was playing in mesmerizing silence, one of my sisters asked if they could play with it......to which I said, "no". When my mother heard me say no, she warned me that I should remember to share. When I didn't heed her sage advice, she took action. My punishment was that I would have to carry that toy with me for the rest of the day.
At the beginning, it was fine and my 5 year old logic thought I had gotten the better end of the deal.......that is, until I grew tired of the moon sand and moved to something else more fun. When that would happen, there was my mother, moon sand in hand saying, "Heather, you forgot this" and back into my hands it would go. Every time I would leave it, there was Lovey Mom to give it back to me. It was held through meals, in the bathroom, wherever I went until it was time for bed. And there's where the lesson entered the picture. As I was allowed to finally put the moon sand down and I got into bed my mother quietly and lovingly said, "I know you got very tired of playing with just this one toy today, but the next time someone asks you nicely if they can also play with something, remember how you feel right now and you will have an easier time sharing." She was right.
From that point on, every time I was tempted to NOT share, I would remember that day and, suddenly, sharing didn't seem like such a bad option. Not only did this impact my childhood, but it's something I continually use as an adult. It helps me to have the compassion to help others. To share of my time, talents, manpower, etc.....with friends who need it.
Thank you for making me carry the moon sand all day, Lovey Mom!
2. Don't Hit!
Many of you know my sister, Melissa and I are just a year apart, so our whole childhood is kind of a tandem memory. We shared a room for 14 years and over those years, many disagreements would arise. During one such disagreement when I was 6 and Melissa 7, I told her to suck my big toe (this was a big deal, because the use of the word "suck" was risky in and of itself). Melissa said, "okay" and I promptly pulled off my sock and, like an idiot, stuck my toe in her mouth. That's when everything started to spiral out of my control. Melissa bit down and in my shock, I rared back, open palm ready to strike in order to gain liberation for my big toe! And.....that's precisely when my mother walked in.
Although I didn't land a blow on my sister, that was of no importance to Lovey Mom. The intent was there and that was enough to spur her into action. Being the wise mother that she is, she knew there was blame on both sides of the equation, so the punishment was to be shared between us. She made us stand, facing one another just a little less than an arms length away and began to teach a powerful lesson. She grabbed Melissa's hand and made her make a fist and she said to her, "I want you to take your fist and hit Heather as hard as you can" and then she dropped Melissa's hand and grabbed mine and made me make a fist and said, "after she hits you, I want you to hit her as hard as you can". She dropped my hand and continued, "and I want you to take turns hitting each other until you fall down!"
At this point Melissa and I were in tears, thinking our mother had gone off the deep end. Wanting us to hit each other on purpose? That was unheard of! When, through our tears, she heard us say we didn't want to do that, she said, "If you don't want to hit your sister, don't raise your hand". Again, she was right. And I am a pacifist.
Thank you Lovey Mom for teaching me to solve problems with words, not fists.
This blog would be too long if I listed all the wonderful things my mother has taught me and the valuable advice she has given, but I wanted to share a couple of them as a way to show how very blessed I am.
Thank you, Lovey Mom! Thank you for telling me you'd take me with you if you ran away! Thank you for all you are to me. I love you!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fighting Hunger, Serving Others
Throughout the last 9 months, one of the most frustrating things I've encountered is the lack of nutritious food available to those with a limited income. Many times what's affordable are items off a fast food "dollar menu". Those things will keep one from starving, but at what cost to ones health? This food has the potential to create long-term health concerns in the very group which can least afford health care. My personal experience with eating on a limited income has been shocking. Even though I ate less often and was down to eating one meal a day for a couple of months, I actually gained weight because all I could afford was crap......over-processed, empty carbs and food packed with fat.
I started exploring the community garden concept in the hopes that fresh produce could be offered at an affordable price to those who otherwise could not afford it. I have found a couple of community gardens with whom I will try to work, but in the process of my research, I stumbled upon something which has my belly on fire with a passion I haven't felt in a very long time.
I started out to compile a list of companies who donate leftover food at the end of the day to community kitchens and in the process found this amazing organization: One World, Everybody Eats. This non-profit community kitchen operates on the "pay what you can" concept and offers a healthy, organic meal each day. The thing I love about this concept is that NO ONE goes hungry. If one doesn't have the money for a meal, one can sign up to work a shift. Incredible!
So, I have started the journey to form a 501(c)3 and have several grants lined up to apply for once everything is in place. Hopefully, by this time next year "Courtney's Community Kitchen"* will be fully operational and serving those in the OKC metro area. If you're interested in helping, please contact me via the comments on this blog. If you want to find a community kitchen in your area, please click the One World link above!
*The name is pending approval from Courtney's family.
I started exploring the community garden concept in the hopes that fresh produce could be offered at an affordable price to those who otherwise could not afford it. I have found a couple of community gardens with whom I will try to work, but in the process of my research, I stumbled upon something which has my belly on fire with a passion I haven't felt in a very long time.
I started out to compile a list of companies who donate leftover food at the end of the day to community kitchens and in the process found this amazing organization: One World, Everybody Eats. This non-profit community kitchen operates on the "pay what you can" concept and offers a healthy, organic meal each day. The thing I love about this concept is that NO ONE goes hungry. If one doesn't have the money for a meal, one can sign up to work a shift. Incredible!
So, I have started the journey to form a 501(c)3 and have several grants lined up to apply for once everything is in place. Hopefully, by this time next year "Courtney's Community Kitchen"* will be fully operational and serving those in the OKC metro area. If you're interested in helping, please contact me via the comments on this blog. If you want to find a community kitchen in your area, please click the One World link above!
*The name is pending approval from Courtney's family.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Strengthening my Resolve: My housing "crisis" annihilated by a humbling reminder
I hate to be hot, and more specifically, I can't sleep when I'm hot. Yes, it's true, I wear a sweater almost every day of the year- even in summer, but if I get too warm, I can take it off. The past two days I've been cooking in a kitchen with no AC. It really isn't unbearable, but when it's coupled with my current "living" arrangement, it has had a very bad effect on me.
The next sentence is hard for me to type, but without this bit of fact, this blog won't make as much sense.
I am homeless.
There, it's out in the open, although that statement is a bit misleading because all of my possessions are still in my house, but I don't/can't live there for several reasons and it has basically become a storage unit until I can get rid of most of the things stored there and find a place to move the rest. That's where the crumbling of my resolve comes in. I'm very fortunate to have friends who allow me to crash at their homes but, as with everything else I've learned through this oddessey of unemployment/homelessness/poverty, it's never as simple or as easy as it might seem.
One of the things I dislike the most in this world is asking to stay with someone. I hate feeling as though I'm imposing on my friends and knowing they wouldn't say no even if it were an imposition. Knowing that is the worst. Worse than having no place to stay. Because of that, I think I understand why a person would go to a shelter, sleep in their car or stay on the streets.
Even now, I hate revealing so much about my circumstances because I worry people will try to "fix" things for me or perceive this post as a plea for a handout. Nothing is broken and I've made a conscious choice to commit to a job that is only part-time so I can have time to devote to helping alleviate some of the hunger and poverty in our community (and I promise there's a blog in the near future about some of the new things I've been working on and towards).
Yet lately, I've felt my resolve to live a simpler life slipping. I've been back to work for 2 months and I already find myself trying to find ways to make more money......but why? So I can help more people? So I can send money to my parents to make their retirement totally carefree and easy? So children in underprivileged areas can have potable water?
NO.
Sadly, I've been wanting to make more money so I can have more. Specifically, a space of my own......and air conditioning....and wifi......and, and, and. Sheesh!
I know, I know......it's not wrong or bad to want more, but I know it's not going to make me happy and those things will own ME instead of my owning them. And, just when I think I'm going to start sending out my resume to see if there are any high-paying, full-time jobs to be had, I hear an interview that snaps me back to reality.......the reality I know is the path for me at this point in my life.
Hannah and Kevin Salwen, authors of "The Power of Half" were on the second hour of the Diane Rehm Show today. Just as I was feeling sorry for myself and the fact that I don't make enough money to afford to live on my own, this interview comes on and totally kicks my ass and snaps me back to where I need to be. I've heard a few interviews with them and there is always a mixed reaction about the path this family has chosen to take. Take the time to visit their website here and if you're interested in learning more, buy their book.
The heat makes me cranky but, because there are those who can't find relief from the heat and those who can't make the hunger subside, I will strengthen my resolve; continue on this incredible journey and, as my mother says, get glad in the same pants about my life.
The next sentence is hard for me to type, but without this bit of fact, this blog won't make as much sense.
I am homeless.
There, it's out in the open, although that statement is a bit misleading because all of my possessions are still in my house, but I don't/can't live there for several reasons and it has basically become a storage unit until I can get rid of most of the things stored there and find a place to move the rest. That's where the crumbling of my resolve comes in. I'm very fortunate to have friends who allow me to crash at their homes but, as with everything else I've learned through this oddessey of unemployment/homelessness/poverty, it's never as simple or as easy as it might seem.
One of the things I dislike the most in this world is asking to stay with someone. I hate feeling as though I'm imposing on my friends and knowing they wouldn't say no even if it were an imposition. Knowing that is the worst. Worse than having no place to stay. Because of that, I think I understand why a person would go to a shelter, sleep in their car or stay on the streets.
Even now, I hate revealing so much about my circumstances because I worry people will try to "fix" things for me or perceive this post as a plea for a handout. Nothing is broken and I've made a conscious choice to commit to a job that is only part-time so I can have time to devote to helping alleviate some of the hunger and poverty in our community (and I promise there's a blog in the near future about some of the new things I've been working on and towards).
Yet lately, I've felt my resolve to live a simpler life slipping. I've been back to work for 2 months and I already find myself trying to find ways to make more money......but why? So I can help more people? So I can send money to my parents to make their retirement totally carefree and easy? So children in underprivileged areas can have potable water?
NO.
Sadly, I've been wanting to make more money so I can have more. Specifically, a space of my own......and air conditioning....and wifi......and, and, and. Sheesh!
I know, I know......it's not wrong or bad to want more, but I know it's not going to make me happy and those things will own ME instead of my owning them. And, just when I think I'm going to start sending out my resume to see if there are any high-paying, full-time jobs to be had, I hear an interview that snaps me back to reality.......the reality I know is the path for me at this point in my life.
Hannah and Kevin Salwen, authors of "The Power of Half" were on the second hour of the Diane Rehm Show today. Just as I was feeling sorry for myself and the fact that I don't make enough money to afford to live on my own, this interview comes on and totally kicks my ass and snaps me back to where I need to be. I've heard a few interviews with them and there is always a mixed reaction about the path this family has chosen to take. Take the time to visit their website here and if you're interested in learning more, buy their book.
The heat makes me cranky but, because there are those who can't find relief from the heat and those who can't make the hunger subside, I will strengthen my resolve; continue on this incredible journey and, as my mother says, get glad in the same pants about my life.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wants vs. Needs
So many times I have heard myself say, "Oh, I need to do that" or "I really need this" but that's rarely the case. The truth be told, there are very few things in life which are truly necessity. Air to breathe, water to drink, a bit of nourishment for energy and, if one is lucky, a place to sleep at night. Outside of that, everything else is really a want.
I was fortunate to grow up in a home where my parents made great sacrifices so I and my siblings would never go without. Not only did we have all the necessities, but we had extras...certainly nothing too extravagant, but I had an ideal childhood. Having grown up in comfort, I believe I came to expect certain things as necessities and the lines between wants versus needs became blurred.
Sometimes it takes a life-changing event to open ones eyes and for me that event was 6 months with little-to-no income. When faced with such monetary challenges of having money for a month of food and still being able to keep gas in my car (necessary in case I was called for an interview), I discovered this great truth: I don't need as much to survive as I once believed. My whole attitude towards salary, possessions and wants versus needs has changed.
At this time last year I was making $35,000 as a single person....no other humans depending on me for food and shelter. I lived in a 2,200 sq.ft. home and thought I was living modestly. WRONG! Once the source of income was gone (from a job I hated and was miserable each day I had to drag myself to the office) I suddenly felt unburdened. I'm not even sure I can effectively explain how I felt, but I knew, despite the seemingly bleak circumstances, I was happy. There were lots of challenges to overcome, but I've arrived at a new place and I don't want to go back to those old habits and confining thought processes.
I currently hold a part time job which pays me $11,500 a year. I maintain a wardrobe of clothing and accessories which will fit in 2 overnight bags. Three mornings a week are spent helping others and 1/4 of my income is giving to charitable organizations who help those who are hungry, out of work and homeless. I don't want to mislead anyone and have someone think I've given up all luxury and am living as lean as possible. I still pay for a cell phone and to have my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks. Maybe I'll be convicted on down the line to give up the haircare routine, but for now I'm happy with how things stand.
One of the things I've noticed is how others are starting to discover their own struggle with wants versus needs. And once that conviction gets a hold of you, beware! It makes one do some radical things. Maybe because of my own experience with being on the edge of homelessness I'm more aware of people who show a passion and compassion for those in need, but I'm encouraged that maybe, just maybe, there's a movement starting which could very well change the fabric of our nation. But, even if I'm too optimistic, I want to continue to live as modestly as possible and help those, whenever possible, who don't have the support and resources I have been given.
Although I think everyone would find simplifying their life a rewarding and blessing-filled endeavor, I realize it's not a journey everyone can/will take and I hold no judgement over anyone and how they chose to live. However, since I have been convicted of my life of excess, I can no longer live it. I really could write on and on about the blessings I've received since "wiping my slate", but instead I want to leave you with a project one of my sorority sister's from college just started. When I read her facebook post about the "Seven" Project I was so inspired and excited for what she was doing I wanted to share it here. For seven months, she and her family are confronting the excess in their lives. To read about how the project came about, you can click HERE, but for the purpose of conserving length, I'll just list her outline for the seven months of project Seven.
1. Month One: "Put the Burger Down and Back Away Slowly"
I only eat seven foods: chicken, eggs, whole wheat bread, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, and apples.
2. Month Two: “Nice Shirt”
I wear the same seven articles of clothes, speaking engagements included: one pair of jeans, one long-sleeved black shirt, two short-sleeved t-shirts, one pair of exercise pants, one dressy shirt, and two pairs of shoes.
3. Month Three: "Sonic, Barnes and Noble, and Other Places that Will Miss My Money"
Me and my family will only spend money at seven places: Online bill pay, one gas station, Farmer’s Market, the kids’ school, adoption agency, limited travel expense fund, and emergency medical.
4. Month Four: "Going Radio Silent"
The family eliminates seven media and social networks: NO internet (except for work), gaming, TV, radio, iPhone apps, Facebook/Twitter, or texting. Laptops for work shut down at 5pm.
5. Month Five: "The Great Giveaway" (Yes, I’ve Done the Math)
The Hatmakers give seven things away a day that we own. Additionally, The Council is adopting a family transitioning off the streets, and we will furnish their entire apartment by donating items we already own.
6. Month Six: "Composting, Sharing a Car, and Other Hippy Things I Never Thought I’d Do"
Our family adopts seven substantial habits for a greener life: gardening, composting, buying only local products, sharing one car, shopping thrift and second-hand, rainwater harvesting (too hippie?), and comprehensive recycling.
7. Month Seven: "Being Quiet, Being Still, Being Grateful"
Together, the family will observe “seven sacred pauses” daily: the night watch, the awakening hour, the blessing hour, the hour of illumination, the wisdom hour, the twilight hour, and the great silence. Additionally, we observe a weekly Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
What an inspiring list! I know it has given me some new things to think about in my own personal quest for discerning wants versus needs. I hope you find some inspiration in it, too!
I was fortunate to grow up in a home where my parents made great sacrifices so I and my siblings would never go without. Not only did we have all the necessities, but we had extras...certainly nothing too extravagant, but I had an ideal childhood. Having grown up in comfort, I believe I came to expect certain things as necessities and the lines between wants versus needs became blurred.
Sometimes it takes a life-changing event to open ones eyes and for me that event was 6 months with little-to-no income. When faced with such monetary challenges of having money for a month of food and still being able to keep gas in my car (necessary in case I was called for an interview), I discovered this great truth: I don't need as much to survive as I once believed. My whole attitude towards salary, possessions and wants versus needs has changed.
At this time last year I was making $35,000 as a single person....no other humans depending on me for food and shelter. I lived in a 2,200 sq.ft. home and thought I was living modestly. WRONG! Once the source of income was gone (from a job I hated and was miserable each day I had to drag myself to the office) I suddenly felt unburdened. I'm not even sure I can effectively explain how I felt, but I knew, despite the seemingly bleak circumstances, I was happy. There were lots of challenges to overcome, but I've arrived at a new place and I don't want to go back to those old habits and confining thought processes.
I currently hold a part time job which pays me $11,500 a year. I maintain a wardrobe of clothing and accessories which will fit in 2 overnight bags. Three mornings a week are spent helping others and 1/4 of my income is giving to charitable organizations who help those who are hungry, out of work and homeless. I don't want to mislead anyone and have someone think I've given up all luxury and am living as lean as possible. I still pay for a cell phone and to have my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks. Maybe I'll be convicted on down the line to give up the haircare routine, but for now I'm happy with how things stand.
One of the things I've noticed is how others are starting to discover their own struggle with wants versus needs. And once that conviction gets a hold of you, beware! It makes one do some radical things. Maybe because of my own experience with being on the edge of homelessness I'm more aware of people who show a passion and compassion for those in need, but I'm encouraged that maybe, just maybe, there's a movement starting which could very well change the fabric of our nation. But, even if I'm too optimistic, I want to continue to live as modestly as possible and help those, whenever possible, who don't have the support and resources I have been given.
Although I think everyone would find simplifying their life a rewarding and blessing-filled endeavor, I realize it's not a journey everyone can/will take and I hold no judgement over anyone and how they chose to live. However, since I have been convicted of my life of excess, I can no longer live it. I really could write on and on about the blessings I've received since "wiping my slate", but instead I want to leave you with a project one of my sorority sister's from college just started. When I read her facebook post about the "Seven" Project I was so inspired and excited for what she was doing I wanted to share it here. For seven months, she and her family are confronting the excess in their lives. To read about how the project came about, you can click HERE, but for the purpose of conserving length, I'll just list her outline for the seven months of project Seven.
1. Month One: "Put the Burger Down and Back Away Slowly"
I only eat seven foods: chicken, eggs, whole wheat bread, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados, and apples.
2. Month Two: “Nice Shirt”
I wear the same seven articles of clothes, speaking engagements included: one pair of jeans, one long-sleeved black shirt, two short-sleeved t-shirts, one pair of exercise pants, one dressy shirt, and two pairs of shoes.
3. Month Three: "Sonic, Barnes and Noble, and Other Places that Will Miss My Money"
Me and my family will only spend money at seven places: Online bill pay, one gas station, Farmer’s Market, the kids’ school, adoption agency, limited travel expense fund, and emergency medical.
4. Month Four: "Going Radio Silent"
The family eliminates seven media and social networks: NO internet (except for work), gaming, TV, radio, iPhone apps, Facebook/Twitter, or texting. Laptops for work shut down at 5pm.
5. Month Five: "The Great Giveaway" (Yes, I’ve Done the Math)
The Hatmakers give seven things away a day that we own. Additionally, The Council is adopting a family transitioning off the streets, and we will furnish their entire apartment by donating items we already own.
6. Month Six: "Composting, Sharing a Car, and Other Hippy Things I Never Thought I’d Do"
Our family adopts seven substantial habits for a greener life: gardening, composting, buying only local products, sharing one car, shopping thrift and second-hand, rainwater harvesting (too hippie?), and comprehensive recycling.
7. Month Seven: "Being Quiet, Being Still, Being Grateful"
Together, the family will observe “seven sacred pauses” daily: the night watch, the awakening hour, the blessing hour, the hour of illumination, the wisdom hour, the twilight hour, and the great silence. Additionally, we observe a weekly Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
What an inspiring list! I know it has given me some new things to think about in my own personal quest for discerning wants versus needs. I hope you find some inspiration in it, too!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
New Direction
After 6 months of unemployment, I started a new job yesterday. It's only a part-time job an pays only a fraction of what I've been used to making for the last decade, but I've never been happier.
I really didn't write much of my unemployment this time around and I'm not sure why, but I suspicion it had to do more with my outlook than anything. Simply put, I wasn't scared, unhappy, depressed or any of the things one would think came part and parcel with the territory. I really feel it was the best way for me to discern the path I need to take; the new direction.
One of the things which really concerned me during my lean months was the type and quality of foods available [read: affordable] while on a very limited budget. I know I'm guilty of having looked into other carts at the grocery store and thinking, "you wouldn't be overweight if you didn't fill your basket with crap". However, I've changed my opinion. I'm sure there are some who eat junk no matter what their income, but the sad reality is most can't afford the healthy things such as fresh produce and whole grain breads.
Even going to a fast food establishment one sees the same trend. A double cheeseburger is available for $1.00 but a salad (made from iceberg lettuce at that) is $5.00! It doesn't take an advanced mathematician to figure out which economic class is eating the double cheeseburger. And I'm not even going to start on how the very class who either doesn't have health insurance or can't afford it are those most likely to need it once their arteries are caked with plaque because they had to survive by eating meals picked from the dollar menus!
But, I digress.
I've had six months to witness firsthand the challenges faced by countless Americans each day. During those times I was thankful to know my situation was temporary, but my heart was so convicted about how much actual wealth I had squandered over the years. So, I'm switching gears and my life has a new direction. Even this blog has taken a new direction during the last half year and I appreciate those who have stuck with me as I discover the new path. [and, if you miss the fluffier reading, feel free to check out my other blog As Seen in the 405!]
Trying to tie this up and connect the dots, I resisted taking a job which was only part-time. This particular job was dangled in front of me almost 2 months before I acted on it. But, now I feel it's absolutely where I needed to be, for lots of reasons. I really want to do something to make my community a better place. I know I don't have much to give monetarily, but my heart and my drive is full and ready to give, so I'm exploring ways to start some sort of community garden which will, hopefully, make fresh produce affordable to those who need it most. Working part time is going to give me that opportunity and I couldn't be happier about it.
Watch for more info about the community garden as I learn and work through the process. I can't change the world, but I'm going to do my damnedest to make a difference where I live!
I really didn't write much of my unemployment this time around and I'm not sure why, but I suspicion it had to do more with my outlook than anything. Simply put, I wasn't scared, unhappy, depressed or any of the things one would think came part and parcel with the territory. I really feel it was the best way for me to discern the path I need to take; the new direction.
One of the things which really concerned me during my lean months was the type and quality of foods available [read: affordable] while on a very limited budget. I know I'm guilty of having looked into other carts at the grocery store and thinking, "you wouldn't be overweight if you didn't fill your basket with crap". However, I've changed my opinion. I'm sure there are some who eat junk no matter what their income, but the sad reality is most can't afford the healthy things such as fresh produce and whole grain breads.
Even going to a fast food establishment one sees the same trend. A double cheeseburger is available for $1.00 but a salad (made from iceberg lettuce at that) is $5.00! It doesn't take an advanced mathematician to figure out which economic class is eating the double cheeseburger. And I'm not even going to start on how the very class who either doesn't have health insurance or can't afford it are those most likely to need it once their arteries are caked with plaque because they had to survive by eating meals picked from the dollar menus!
But, I digress.
I've had six months to witness firsthand the challenges faced by countless Americans each day. During those times I was thankful to know my situation was temporary, but my heart was so convicted about how much actual wealth I had squandered over the years. So, I'm switching gears and my life has a new direction. Even this blog has taken a new direction during the last half year and I appreciate those who have stuck with me as I discover the new path. [and, if you miss the fluffier reading, feel free to check out my other blog As Seen in the 405!]
Trying to tie this up and connect the dots, I resisted taking a job which was only part-time. This particular job was dangled in front of me almost 2 months before I acted on it. But, now I feel it's absolutely where I needed to be, for lots of reasons. I really want to do something to make my community a better place. I know I don't have much to give monetarily, but my heart and my drive is full and ready to give, so I'm exploring ways to start some sort of community garden which will, hopefully, make fresh produce affordable to those who need it most. Working part time is going to give me that opportunity and I couldn't be happier about it.
Watch for more info about the community garden as I learn and work through the process. I can't change the world, but I'm going to do my damnedest to make a difference where I live!
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