Seeing the Compassion of Others

Hurricane Sandy was a doozy! I live in Eastern PA and the wind gusts were up to 81 miles per hour and we got between 2 - 4 inches of rain. Although our lights flickered a bit during the high winds, we never lost power. We did lose our cable and phone for two days, but we made it through the storm virtually unscathed.

What really has moved me the most through the last week is how people are working together to get through this. There were homes and businesses without power for five days; food had spoiled; homes without hot water; schools were closed and there were long lines at convenience stores that sell coffee and gas.

Through phone calls, emails and social media, I've seen offers for people to come to homes to charge their phones and computers, get a warm shower and a place to sleep. I met some men from South Carolina that drove all the way up here with their trucks so they could help restore the power in our area... staying in tractor trailers outfitted with bunk beds.

In times like this I see God working in peoples lives. The love and compassion that people have for one another is truly touching. I know that for some people, they don't even realize that God is at work... they may be motivated by money or a sense of obligation, not realizing they are a tool for God's handiwork. Perhaps the person on the receiving end has lost hope or faith, but these little (and  sometimes big) gestures help to restore what is lost.  We don't need a devastating storm to bring the best out in people... all we have to do is look around and see what it is we can do for someone else. Perhaps it's returning a shopping cart from an elderly person, or pay for someone's coffee at a convenience store. When I see the compassion of others I know God is at work and I am hopeful.

More Steps Forward

I have been so busy with looking at my opportunities for work that I've neglected to write anything lately, so here's an update. Today I went to a workshop on how to finance a new business, whether it's a start up or a franchise. It was very informative and gave me some new things to look at.  Last week I spoke with three different franchises to see if any of them fit with what I want to do.  I think they all have potential, but my issue is that I don't feel very passionate about any of them. I think I could be successful doing any business, and I think a couple of them could actually be a great source of income, but I don't know if my heart is in it... and this is why:

I went to my church on Friday morning to do my weekly service answering phones and updating social media, and it just feels like a wonderful place to be. I love being around the people, I love being able to help them with what they are doing (one women needed me to help her with her computer) and I love posting information on their website and social media.  In fact, they asked if I was interested in running a free seminar for the congregation on the internet, social media, and the website. I like to feel needed and I like to use my skills.  I felt so good when I left church that day, that I know I want to feel that every day.

This makes me think I need to have something I'm passionate about, rather than just a source of income.  I'm not ruling out any of the franchises yet, but I have two more business ideas I want to look into. One is a new product idea and the other is a new business. It has been successful in other areas of the Northeast and it's something I've been thinking about for five years.

How fortunate for me that my life has afforded me this opportunity to look at my life. I wish I had a clearer picture of where I'm heading, but I'm pleased that I am moving forward.

One of my Passions

I love to write. I went to school for Business Communications so I could write for a living. My previous job entailed a lot of writing over the past 15 years, and the subject always had a common thread.  When I recently lost my job I wondered if I would be able to write about anything else.

I decided to do some volunteer work for my church and my mom asked for some help with a project she wanted to propose to her employer.  I've been writing press releases, activating social media, and researching childcare for a proposal... all of which have been well received. It is nice to see that I can write about different subjects from faith to childcare and still know how to use my words.

After spending 22 years at the same company, I had some fears about my actual skills and abilities. I worried that somehow I was faking it and if I ever lost my job I wouldn't be able to do anything else.

This journey is showing me that I can do other things.  My volunteer work is giving me a chance to not only build on my resume, but to validate what is true about me- that I love to write and I can do just about anything.

Until next time,
Sue

A Step Forward

My husband is concerned about my not having a job yet.  It's only been 2 months, but he doesn't want me to get too comfortable at home.  I think the most important thing for me is to be busy. I could easily get sucked into the world of talk shows, but that wouldn't feed my spirit. I like to work and I like to do things that have a positive impact on people.

I decided to look into some volunteer work for my church to help them with their social media efforts.  I love to write and I enjoy social media, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for me.  I ran into the office manager on Sunday and mentioned to her my thoughts, and today I went to the church office to see what I could do for them. Come to find out they've been praying for me (well, not me in particular, but someone that could do this job!)