A Call for Service

One of the things I like the most about President Obama (wow!) is his ability to inspire. I'm not just talking about a well written or brilliantly delivered speech. He makes me want to jump up and say "what can I do," "how can I serve," and I know he inspires this feeling in many. No matter your politics, I think this is critical - the call to service for all of us blessed to live a free life with everyday luxuries that are denied our fellow citizens in other lands. I'm thrilled to see a renewed spirit of service buzzing through society, online and off, young and old.

I've been feeling a little anxious about this over the last week. Service used to be a regular and permanent part of my life. All through middle school, high school and college I was committed to a variety of service oriented tasks - candy-striper, nursing home volunteer, youth group projects, animal shelters, food bank staffer, Headstart volunteer...I did them all. And I loved every minute.

I've let that slide in my "adult life." To be frank, I struggle to find time enough to do anything other than work during the week and my weekends are treasured blurs of errands, catching up and just trying to "be" outside of my career. I know it is all about balance, but I'm not sure I really believe in that concept any more. I'm not sure I believe you can have it all at the same time. I think you have to choose points of focus at different times in your life. And I'm struggling with making that ok in my mind (and not hearing it as just another excuse).

And then I stumble across stories like this and I simply cannot understand. And I want to try harder, make more of an effort, be better. For them...the abandoned. Animals, children, elderly, hungry...I just feel a need to make a connection, hold out a hand, empathize.

"To those who much has been given, MUCH will be expected." Be the change, Internet. Whatever your calling, stand up and serve. 2009 is my year to be better at this. I hope it will be yours too.