03 September 2008

Just Not Enough Time

It's official, summer is over. Maybe not meteorologically, but since all the schools have started, the world seems to have declared "summer is over!"
I have so much I'd like to blog about, but once I again I have over extended myself. I have things to do for our homeschool co-op, I have things to do for Girl Scouts, I have things to do for the Animal Society I work with, and I just started working for a friend cleaning offices. That is only a few hours a week, but when you really only have a few extra hours, it doesn't help. And of course I have my girls home, and they need my attention more than anything else.
I need to learn to say no. But it seems everyone else says no, and then there is no one to step up, and then nothing will get done. Who will collect donation items for the fundraiser? Who will run the product campaign for the Girl Scouts? Who will help the homeschool co-op pick the classes and organize the field trips? I suppose all these groups could get along without me, (I know they could, I don't think that highly of myself.) If no one else stepped up, they would either have to do without or come up with another plan. But if I do have a wee bit of time, and can offer a bit of help and wisdom, I feel better knowing I did my part.
I think this country survives because of it's volunteers. There are so many people doing so many things to help make the lives of others (or animals) better. I feel good about myself knowing I helped in some small way. I just wish I could add a few more hours to my day.
A volunteer is a person who can see what others cannot see; who can feel what most do not feel. Often, such gifted persons do not think of themselves as volunteers, but as citizens - citizens in the fullest sense: partners in civilization.
~George H. W. Bush~

1 comment:

justjuls said...

Hey Donna - I think it is great that you volunteer for so much - however, at some point you burn out. I've been there - was a support group leader, testing coordinator, youth group leader, worship leader, food pantry coordinator, etc. etc. etc. mostly jobs I took because nobody else volunteered. I moved away almost 3 years ago and those things either continued to go strong or they fell apart - and sometimes we keep things going that we should just let die of natural causes - disinterest. Hoping you'll find a way to keep your plate full of things that bring you joy!