Bucket List

For the most part of my life, I never had time for a bucket list.  Who has time to dream about those far off fancies when you are struggling to raise a family, work a full time job, and maintain a home.  It really isn't in the cards.....either time or money wise.

But now, now that I am older, I think about the things that I would like to do: travel to far off places, experience new things, discover things I have never dreamed of.  Rather than checking things off my list, I seem to be adding to it.  Do you think that is going to be a problem?  Soon it will look like a roll of toilet paper.  Long and tenuous.  I don't know that I have enough time to do it all.

What does a person put on their list?  I know a couple of "oldies" that jumped out of airplanes.  No, I don't think so.  I'd like to advance into old age in one piece "thank you very much".  Now a zip line, that I might consider.  There are those who take "big" trips to foreign countries.  I could see me doing some of that.  Or they sell their home and live a vagabond life in a travel trailer.  A little of that would be good too, but I think I would want to return to a permanent address.

Being married to someone who has not much interest in exploring these options, often my dreams are met with frustration.  But non-the-less, I will attempt to fulfill some of the things on my endless list while I am still upright.  On my short list I want to ride horseback on the beach, cruise the Hawaiian Islands, travel to Israel, take a riverboat ride down the Mississippi.  Not terribly grandiose things, but still dreams.

But most of the things on my list are much easier to attain.  I want to see my grandchildren grow up.  I want to be an integral part of their lives. I want to explore and enjoy new things.  I want to try my hand at things that I never had the courage to do when I was younger, like being a Christian speaker or publishing a novel.  I want to continue to teach the Bible and watch my student's hearts and eyes be opened to a new understanding of the scripture.  I can do all of those things easily.

Somehow I find it a little sad that we need to have "bucket lists".  Shouldn't we live life to the fullest each and every day?  I understand that early in life we don't have the money to do "big" things, and then we have families and that can put a cramp in your style sometimes.  And there is always the career to which we devote much of our adult lives.  These things are all very important.  I guess it is when we retire that we realize that some of our dreams were not fulfilled.  Or maybe we just have more time, and hopefully finances, to enjoy more extravagant things.

Really, in the end, will I feel unhappy or unfulfilled if I don't get to travel, or learn to paint, or write the great American novel?  Maybe a little.  Each day should be filled with things that give us joy, satisfaction, and happiness.    Those things are easily found in friends, family, service to others, neighborliness or simply taking time to enjoy the seasons, the garden, the abundance of life around us everywhere.

So I may rethink my bucket list a little bit.  Perhaps I need to put those more meaningful things a little higher on the list and yet still plan for the big dream one day.  What about you?  Do you have unfulfilled dreams?  Perhaps now is the time to begin to explore what is really important.  Are you living every day to the fullest?  Let's get our priorities in order: family, friends, service to others, a relationship with our creator . . . none of which cost us anything but a little time.  But the rewards will be satisfying and fill us with joy.  Is there more than that?

In this season of Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks for all you have and look forward to each day with a "attitude of gratitude".  Everything, big or small, is worthy of a "Thank You" to Jehovah Jireh, our God and provider.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Just Writin' on the River Road

Why Volunteer?

Do you ever wonder why some people volunteer for everything? And others are not much interested in working for nothing. Maybe it is because you have not yet found your niche. We are all gifted in some manner, we all have likes and dislikes, or things that we are passionate about.

For those of you outside of my local area, this plea will probably not pertain to you.  After being in the "volunteer"business for nearly ten years running a non-profit, we are seriously considering closing the doors of our ministry.  Three people can only be stretched so thin and something as to give.  So I want to tell you what you have to win, or lose, if no one steps up to the plate and helps Twelve Baskets continue on.

We, at Twelve Basket’s Cooperative Ministry, are always seeking for volunteers. If you think volunteering is simply being there on the weekend, sorting through donations and greeting customers, you would be right . . . and wrong. There are so many additional needs that you may have never considered. We need “fix it” people to check out mechanical and electronic goods, organizers who want to help with special events such as the Coat Give-Away, the Harvest Festival, the Community Yard Sale, or float builders for the 4^th of July and Christmas parades. We need media people to advertise special events and make posts on Facebook or put up fliers. Those people who are computer savvy could help with so many things. Or perhaps you feel led to participate as a board member. How about being a financial counselor?   Do you have skills you can share with others?  Many of these things only require a few hours here and there, but all of you are necessary to make things run smoothly.  And yes, it does require a commitment just like a "real" job!

So why volunteer? There are so many reasons! While you will not get paid monetarily, you will gain ever so much from the experience. Young people, volunteer work looks great on your resume. It tells future employers that you care about more than wages, you care about your community, a cause, and people. It shows you are not afraid of hard work. You will gain abilities that will be helpful as you step out into the world. Honing your people skills will take you a long way in life.

Those of you who are retired, you too will gain from helping out. First there is the satisfaction of doing a job, serving your community or aiding someone who has a need. Secondly you will find a whole new set of friends and acquaintances that will enhance your world. And yes, you will learn new skills. Going against the old adage, you “can teach an old dog new tricks”. In fact, as we age, we need to be challenged to learn new things. It keeps us vital.

Some of the many perks of working at Twelve Baskets is the sense of family and community. The work can be hard at times, but there is a venue within the organization that will uniquely fit you and your abilities. Some of you like to be cashiers and greet the public, some like to organize and redecorate, others enjoy doing yard work or the many odds and ends at need to be done each week. Some of you can help from home, others are needed at the store on a regular basis.

The bottom line to any volunteer experience is not what you give, but what you get in return. Over the years we have been blessed beyond measure with your support, your friendship, your abilities, and the fact that you care about others and your community. We would love to share that sense of blessing with more of you. We want to get to know you. It makes our lives richer. Not only our lives, but everyone you come in contact with. We would like you to become part of our family.  

Right now we are accepting applications for two or more managers, as well as additional help.  If you don't volunteer to help, this little store that has supported this community for nearly ten years will close its doors by the first of the year.  And if you think we are "just" a thrift store, you would be so wrong.  One hundred percent of our profits from your generous donations go back into this community.  We not only help individual members of our community, we give out scholarships, we offer warm coats to the community for free, we support our local library, museum, art council, prescription fund, Senior Center, food bank, fire department, Disaster Fund and more.  We offer a place for those with special needs to learn some basic skills such as socialization.  We participate in fund raisers for those who have suffered a major loss.  We offer a safe place for those who are at risk.  They receive love, understanding, and help in any number of ways from personal counseling to financial management to reestablishing their lives.  And you will be prayed for, hugged, listened to, and leave knowing that somebody cares.

Yes, we offer wonderful goods that are donated by our generous community but that is just the tip of the iceberg that is visible to you.  We laugh with you, we cry with you, we support you and care about every little thing in your life that causes you joy or pain.  Do you really want to see us fall by the wayside?  Especially since it would only take a small sacrifice on your part to keep this ministry up and running.

We ask that you consider joining our team.  You will be blessed.  I can promise you that!

Just Writin' on the River Road