I work in content generation and delivery. In that arena, I am something of a "Swiss Army Knife" type. Lots of room, and multiple hats. Which one do I bring on any given day?

I think there are so many ways to serve. I do my part. I hesitate to make that public however. I think you'll understand what I mean.

I have felt since childhood that all of us need to give on the basis of what we've been given, whether in native ability or education or when we see a need and feel prompted to do something about that. I'm very pleased that our president is calling on us all to find ways to serve.

Thank you for your post.

At present I'm not sure how I will serve. I have affinity with several issues on the Administration's agenda, and others that are not. I'm also giving serious consideration to aiding, in some small way, the Administration's effort to promote inclusion and citizen engagement. It is vital to the future of our democracy.

Being directly called to serve in this way is a new thing for me, as I think it is for all of us. I look forward to hearing from the rest of the community.

"I'm also giving serious consideration to aiding, in some small way, the Administration's effort to promote inclusion and citizen engagement. It is vital to the future of our democracy."
What do you have in mind, Bluemeanie? Sounds complex to me, frought with encounters with bureaucrats and, therefore, completely intimidating while admirable...

Very nice of you to say, DD, but --- you have evaded the essential question: what will you do to serve? (Although you are already providing a mighty service indeed at TPM, which is no small act of kindness/courage/etc..)

I don't have a good answer to your question. I should.

I've considered running for office but that's a long-term goal. At present I'm just thinking. I'm hoping Organizing for America, established by the President to mobilize grassroots participation, will help identify opportunities and provide support.

I'd also like to see what others in the community are thinking. This is a big deal.

Bluemeanie: Did I offend you? I hope I did not not. I admire the direction you are taking, even though if I were to do the same I would need a silver cross and cloves of garlic. Bureaucracy is my nemesis, the black hole in my ability to deal in life.

That's NO offense taken. What a horrible omission!

Oh I meant that I have to look into what I could offer. Looking back it does look like evasion.

No, we are all called to service and I must find out what I can do with my limited resources.

When I was in junior high school, in Connecticut, I had a social studies teacher that made us perform a very interesting social experiment. We were told to divide ourselves into tribes of no more than five members each, and build a community and offer a service, with which we would then barter with our fellow class tribesmen.

Recently, given our economical mess that we're in, I've come to start thinking about bartering again, more and more frequently.

What I could offer is my writing skills, my honesty, my inclination to do a job well, and my desire to keep learning new things.

Those things alone would serve anyone well, no? I am not trying to sound condescending, just takin an honest assessment of myself and trying to see where I can fit in, and be of value. I'm sure I can keep finding even more good traits, if I really put my mind to it.

Seems to me that many people should, and can, try doing the same.

We'd all benefit. It would be a win-win.

Man, that was good.

Amen!

I like that also, Liz. Gives me hope that maybe I could contribute something.

If not THAT one, which one, OG?

My bit won't be grand, but since growing gardens is my choice of occupation these days, it's what I'll be doing. I'm planning on extra rows of veggies and all surpluses from the gardens will go to local food pantries and soup kitchens. Also, another way for me to serve presented itself quite unexpectedly.

This past week I was invited to lead a workshop for inexperienced gardeners at a small church. It seems folks are actually paying heed to the possible hard(er) times ahead and are wanting to know how to grow their own food.

First, I was surprised to be asked out of the blue. I hadn't done any workshops since my Girl Scout Leader days. Apparently some one who knows some one knows I do things like this with an eye towards the organic and natural ways and that was the way they were wanting to learn. So, they asked. I said yes.

Second, I was surprised that 15 people showed up instead of the expected 8-10. (I did say it was a small church :o)) Half of them brought a friend along.

Third, I was asked to lead another workshop at another church.

Fourth, if anybody else asks me, I'll do it. I get paid in free coffee and all the homemade cookies I can stuff in my craw while I'm yakking. :o) I'll do just about anything for an oatmeal cookie. Well, I won't do that, but just about anything else. ;o)

Exactly what in the comment you were "responding to" had anything to do with Marxism?

Be specific. Since you seemed to get off (far too readily) on your own failed attempt to slag OGD in his thread, it should not take you more than one declarative sentence to answer the above question.

oh....the referenced author is Charles Bukowski.

.

Now now . . .

OG . . .

Everyone has the right to drop a SBD every now and then, but when it becomes so repetitive to the point of nausea, someone has to light a match.

Now back to the program that is in progress. . .

~OGD~

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Great thread....

Thanks wwstaebler, for bringing this up...

In real life? I serve those who serve others -- for others have helped me to accomplish the same. I work with each individual to accomplish that same goal. One person at a time. One person after another, and after another, and after another. I don't even have a clue as to how many people over the past forty plus years that I've served. I only wonder how many more people have been served by the people I've served.

Oh ... and what kind of actual service? You name it. If I don't have the specific expertise to help, I know plenty of others who do.

~OGD~

ww, I'm embarrassed to say I haven't found my niche yet...I go back to babysitting my 3 grandchildren in April when their mothers go back to work after their maternity leaves, and haven't wanted to start anything I can't finish...

For now it's going to have to be keeping 3 children out of daycare, and helping to raise them responsibly. Beyond that, I'm keeping an eye out for something I can do WITH them...

Thanks for the post! I like the way you've held everyone's feet to the fire! Just don't burn me, okay?

rec'd

OG, Flowerchild, OGD and Still:
I think you all have the right idea -- not getting swept up in great causes (that in practical terms probably require being employed in a relevant industry if one is really to make a contribution).
I like the idea of wearing many different hats and doing what needs to be done for a particular person at a particular time, utilizing all the things we've learned over a lifetime, whether that knowledge is professional or personal.

So maybe the better question is: what hats do you have?

Melissa -- you not only try, you succeed, consistently. Your living room is an oasis at TPM, greatly appreciated by many. As I imagine your living room in real life is the same.
I'm sorry, BTW, that I responded to one of your last posts after only skimming it. I should know better than that. Your posts have many layers. Too often I read things too literally.

I believe the last clause in her last sentence was "how may we help you?"

In rereading my response, I feel I answered her question directly.

Then you, too, can help us.

Evaporate. Now.

thanks for your post. IMO, we should encourage support and recommend expansive thinking like this because the national dialogue is too myopic, mired in partisan bickering and leads to infinite regression.

Progressives aren't the only ones that would benefit from being progressives.

...and you are very successful!