Monday, June 05, 2006

Balancing nonprofit work

I've spent a good portion of my 20s receiving free things, such as concert tickets, delicious dinners and front-row seats at sporting events. But to tell you the truth, I am now much more interested in purchasing these types of items for my friends and myself on my own. Receiving free stuff isn't as appealing as it used to be. I'm almost positive that the appeal came from the idea that the people who didn't need to receive free items were the ones most likely to receive free items. But, my favorite memories of receiving those free items was when I was able to pass them on to others and to see the joy, gratitude and surprise that the gifts brought them in being able to experience something that was otherwise unobtainable.

If ever again I'm in the position to receive free items, I want nothing more than to be able to pass many of them on or, rather, be there to share in the receivers' joyful experience. I find it true that the more you give, the more you want to give, so much so that I have found myself at several times in my career devoting more time to nonprofit work than making money for myself. And to a fault, if you can find fault in that. Now I'm trying to balance that out, because I figure, if I made more money doing something that I absolutely love to do, then I can devote that money as well as myself to the organizations or individuals that fit in with my interests.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

very nice. but how did you actually GET the free stuff in the first place?

Superficial Plaza Chick said...

This could be another post, but a lot of it came from my three years as Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader, appearances we did, etc. I learned so much from that organization, including learning about myself. Through the Chiefs organization, my love for nonprofit work truly evolved. And no, I didn't date any of the players. It would have compromised my spot on the squad.

John said...

Steph --
I 110 percent agree that giving is better than recieving in regards to time and money.

But in the end, isn't giving and how you feel in giving, the ultimate paycheck? That feeling of accomplishment and reward for a job well done for a non-profit or that smile that you get when you hand those tickets over?

I know the time I spend volunteering would not be spent if I didn't feel good at the end of the day doing what I do... but, like you, I have had to find that balance.. it is very easy to overdo something you love to do, especially when you aren't being financially rewarded for it.

Dr Will said...

ah very interesting! there should def be more like that in future posts

Superficial Plaza Chick said...

Hey John--What types of charity work do you do? I think I read that you are involved in Boy Scouts??? If so, were you previously a Boy Scout yourself? I think its great to see guys participating in charitable events and activities.

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