Question

Topic: Our Forum

Thanks For Everything...may I Ask One More Favor?

Posted by Anonymous on 11/29/2009 at 10:53 PM ET 1000 Points
It is here…the winding down of yet another year. Thank goodness we made it this far. This year has been one of the most challenging of times, ever. For many, the challenges are just beginning, and will continue.

For our country, for our planet, we are experiencing a transition that is impacting every resident. Some say, “It is the beginning of bigger, better things, for everyone.”

Some say it is “…the beginning of the end.” I say, let’s not read the eulogy, just yet. There are quite a few amazing spirits out here, who day by day, keep their doors open, keep their eyes open, and keep their spirits open. So, before we close-out the year, reflect upon the good times and the good things we have accomplished.

I have always been kind of melancholy during the Holidays. I like just sitting back, turning off all of the electronics, opening the windows and listening. I think back to my youth, and to all of the old friends and acquaintances I have known. I think of the ones who are no longer with us, and smile…recalling some great times and even greater dreams we shared. I think of the new people I met this year. And, of course, I think of my family, then and now.

During this personal discourse, I sometimes take mental notes. Which at my age, could be dangerous, so I also create a written back up. It’s no big deal.

I make promises to myself. One of them, is to see each person, as a person. I do not look at them as “whatever they do” or “whatever they own or manage.” I see them as who they really are, based upon things they have shared with me, away from the office. As different as we openly seem on the outside…Inside, where it really counts, we each seem to be much like the other. Regardless of age, sex, race, religion or lack of religious preference, we are all the same. We are still human. We want to be able to enjoy our lives, live in peace, and work toward the realization of our dreams. No BIG surprise there, right? After all…we are just humans, with dreams.

And, our dreams are not only for our selves. How can they be?

We have been programmed to see the things that need to be done. Those who are in my life, who care, have taught me to cease seeing things and begin seeing people who need our help, support, guidance, and attention. Whether family, or complete strangers, people need to know that other people care…that there are people willing to step up, and step in.

I know…we are all busy. We work too long, too hard, and for what seems to be…too little. And, for far too many, each year is getting more and more difficult to just survive.

This is my point. If we step out of our skin, and place ourselves on the corner, holding a sign, how would we see life?

If we stepped into the skin of a woman, whose husband left her with three children…who is working two jobs and attending Community College three evenings a week, what would be our dream?

Would we be willing to do as she must? And, through all of her trials, she is still thankful for what she has…thinking, ‘it could be worse’.

If you are reading this, of course, you have a computer. You have electricity. You have electricity. You…have…electricity.

Former United States President, George Bush put out a call to all, urging us to create a “Thousand Points of Light”. Fortunately, we heard him. Today, his thousand has become millions, and bless each one…but, there is need for many more.

I urge you…please, as you enjoy the holiday feasts, and the smiles on the faces of the ones you love so dearly…please…I urge you, while on your trip to the store, drop a bag of food into the donation box. Give the man on the corner, two bottles of water, and a couple dollars. If you can, invest just one evening a week or, a month and help someone to read. Give one day a month, help a senior citizen by driving them to the doctor’s office, and buy them lunch.

Whatever you do…do something for someone you do not know, before the year’s end. You know how difficult it is for you. How difficult do you believe it is for them? You see them every day. They see you too. They long for one, small opportunity. And, on that day…perhaps at that very moment, what you do, may change…no…what you do will change someone’s life.

May each of us, who work so hard…have the courage to offer a small part of what we have, to someone who will believe that what we do then, for them, is such a BIG part of their life.

There are TENS OF THOUSANDS of US...HERE, on MarketingProfs/KHE. I believe we can change the world, tomorrow...no, today.

My dear friends and colleagues, thank you, for all you are, and have been in my life, and in the lives of others.
Enjoy every moment you have with those you love.

May you each have a wonderful Holiday Season.


Randall
White Mountain Marketing
Houston (The REAL), Texas
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by NovaHammer on 11/29/2009 at 11:13 PM Accepted
    'Passing it forward' does make a difference when we already have the essentials plus many more intangibles.

    This year I have ben touched by friends some from 35 years ago when I was a rookie cop, who just wanted to say hi or touch base as they fulfill their bucket list and make plans top drop by from across the continent or offer an open house invitaion. I've seen a few old faces on national TV, thankfully in good times and have also prayed for a christmas of simple blessings when I remember the brave souls Ive seen support loved ones in dire straights.

    We indeed are a microcosm on this site and I believe this pro bono work we do helps turn a glow into a spark which in turn kindles a bright light for someone's future somewhere.

    Thanks for being kindred spirits, who believe in our collective potential to do better. Keep on Keepin on!

    ps Randall, "you don't need help fast" you've got it just right as far as I'm concerned!
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 11/30/2009 at 10:11 AM Accepted
    Thanks Randall for your great post. As you probably know,we just moved to Georgia. I did a big brunch yesterday and had the Holiday radio channel on-- and ended up turning it off, cause it just didn't feel like it-- coming from an area where we'd already seen snow, to yesterday's 75 degree day-- not a frost yet, still picking tomatoes from the patio. With rebuilding the biz in this new localle, we aren't making what we did last year.. and the new hubby and I were saying -- we did so much last year, marrying, moving, closing two biz's and opening one more-- we should just forego presents and go somewhere. I have family here, my husband's adult kids and mom, mine are scattered.Short of it-- I just wasn't feeling Christmassy. But your post helped me "turn the curve"!!
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 11/30/2009 at 10:47 AM Member
    I did check out Harry's post-- and RSVP'd. Thanks
  • Posted by michael on 11/30/2009 at 10:57 AM Accepted
    Randall,

    Thanks for posting this. As I've gotten older I'm less concerned about putting up decorations (much to the chagrin of my wife!) and more concerned about making sure I connect with family and friends.

    Last week I went back with siblings and visited all the homes we've lived in. That brought back even more memories of people I would like to see again.

    But it's the stranger, the homeless, the needy who have no one to "go back and see". For them, it's just today or maybe just this afternoon.

    So...if money is tight, consider giving blood. Sign up with DKMS (https://www.dkmsamericas.org/) to donate bone marrow. They say if you have your health, you have a lot.

    I don't need someone to "tell me what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown" but I do need a reminder sometimes.

    Thanks.

    Michael
  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 11/30/2009 at 11:14 AM Member
    Randall, thanks for the mention. It is your post that gave me the idea to make my post, so you get many good karma points for that.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 11/30/2009 at 1:40 PM Accepted
    I've always been involved with some nonprofit-- it's one of my core beliefs to "give back". It's been good for me personally and professionally. I, like all of you, have very many stories that we could tell. At the end of the day, it's not about anything - -except has the world been a better place because of you? Have you somehow made someone else's life better?

    Nonprofit work is hard. It never ends. There is no project with a specific ending. A book I reference a lot-- is Managing for Sales Results by Ron Marks. He states that everyone business's management training should include nonprofit involvement. Even if its a little league. Because you truly learn to lead. You have few carrots and no sticks. When I reviewed this book I stated this book should have been called "leading for sales results". The author (Ron Marks) emailed me, thanking me for the review- -and saying that was his initial title, but didn't go with it.

    As my daughters matured and they were too young for summer time employment, they had to volunteer at the Humane Society (who took them at 14 I think). That always meant every year a new critter came into the home that they fell in love with and couldn't live without- but that's ok. They learned to give back too.

    You think an org like a cancer nonprofit -- all members are in it for one thing-- cure of the disease. But as anyone who's sat in a nonprofit board meeting-- you'll find that is not always true.

    I recall being on the board of Cystic Fibrosis. Most people were involved because a child was born with the disease. I didn't. A work pal of my ex's knew I just finished my term (that I didn't renew) with the local public TV station-- he asked if I was ready for the next project-- and recruited me. I liked the group and this sounds shallow, but I was just having fun. They always give the sales person type the job of attaining sponsors and there I was. We raised more $ that year than ever before. It was also the year they made huge strides identifying a gene causing the disease.


    I was made "volunteer of the year" and at the awards ceremony a little girl came over, thanked me for giving my time, and said, "Because of you, I might live a little longer". Not a bad reward for just having fun....

    I really think this world would be a better place if community service was required in all schools. I have worked with kids in gangs-- if they had a chance to see the bigger picture-- they'd have no need for gangs. Don't teach social service-- get them out there doing it. Do like I did, require your kids to be productive over the summer. If they don't get a job-- they volunteer. It should be a part of every MBA program. We'd have better leaders. And be better people for it.
  • Posted by NovaHammer on 12/1/2009 at 9:20 AM Accepted
    Randall, may I share one more thing about friends...

    Let us give thanks for a bounty of people.

    For children who are our second planting, and though they grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where their roots are.
    Let us give thanks...

    For generous friends...with hearts as big as hubbards and smiles as bright as their blossoms;

    For feisty friends as tart as apples;

    For continuous friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers, keep reminding us we had them;

    For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible;

    For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn -- and the others -- as plain as potatoes, and so good for you.

    For funny friends, who are as silly as brussels sprouts and as amusing as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends as complex as cauliflowers and as intricate as onions;

    For friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle as summer squash, as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless as zucchini, and who -- like parsnips -- can be counted on to see you through the long winter;

    For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening-time, and young friends coming on as fast as radishes;

    For loving friends, who wind around as like tendrils, and hold us despite our blights, wilts, and witherings;

    And finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past, that have been harvested - but who fed us in their times that we might have life thereafter;

    For all these we give thanks.

    M Coots
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