Went to a funeral today

[ladypanther]

The deceased was a former co worker. He was an outstanding human being. He lived his life with incredible decency and kindness. He was likely the least judgmental person I have ever met. He found the good in everyone.

I want to be more like him. I am sorry I did not tell him that but I will tell his family.

For some time I have been looking for another job. What I really want is to make a difference.  I know what is important.  The death of my friend & former co worker and his legacy has made it hard for me to ignore.

His family listed this quote from him on his obit and on the program:

Quote

 

As I get older my goal is to love more fully, more completely and without judgment. 

 

Would this not be a better world if we all did that?

RIP my dear friend...your lessons will live on.  A life well lived does not die.

[Jackofalltrades]

I, too, want to find a job where I can make a true difference. Working in a mobile dental office serving the impoverished is cool, but I want to do more. I have no idea what that would be at this point, but I can certainly empathize with your feelings. 

[pantherclaw]

I'd love to be able to work doing something that has a lasting affect. 

 

My wife and I are  so busy, both of us, working 2 jobs right now trying to get our family out of a  financial crisis. 

Some day. 

[Anybodyhome]

For those who have never worked with a non-profit or volunteered for a cause, I would suggest you start slow and small. To be quite honest, you have to find something that won't cause you sleepless nights and major anxiety because you're having a hard time with what you see out there.

I work in the public sector and see some of the worst housing conditions people live in on a daily basis. I can take you to houses where people are living without utilities, use a bucket as a toilet and dump it in the backyard. I was in a house yesterday where the cockroaches were everywhere, even behind picture frames on the wall. I inspected a mobile home not long ago with a failed septic system, raw sewage on the ground surrounding half the trailer and within 20 feet of an outdoor picnic table where the residents ate because it's too hot inside. That's my day job and it's what I see all the time. Thing is, if I wasn't involved in the United Way, a couple community development efforts and volunteering elsewhere, this work would make me even more cynical than I already am.

Volunteer at an animal shelter, drive for Meals on Wheels, register to drive dialysis patients during bad weather. There are lots of things you can do with a couple hours here and there. I've done all those things and I have my "favorite" charities that I donate money to, but working with others is what I enjoy. These types of efforts will expose you to more than you'll realize and will also expose you to the network of organizations and possible employment opportunities going forward. Understand that public service is, for the most part, thankless work and you'll likely hear more complaints than appreciation.

But the biggest key is this- make sure you are able or have a way to let it all go when you're not doing it. You start thinking you can change the world and you'll be carrying that weight wherever you go. A single act of kindness everyday you're alive goes a long way.  

[Davidson Deac II]

IMO, finding a job in which you can made a difference can be difficult.  Medical field personnel can, but the training requirements take a while.  

 

My goal was to find a job which would allow me to take care of my family and travel, and still have enough time off to make a difference occasionally.  For the most part, I have although I probably don't use the time off as well as I could.