Planting The Seed of Service
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world, are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, make them."
- George Bernard Shaw
A child is as delicate as a flower and with love and attention he/she can bloom into a beautiful, charismatic adult. It is without this nurturance that things can go awry.
Recently I had the rare opportunity to watch my cousin play professional football. Who would have guessed a women's pro ball team. Unfortunately, unlike the WMBA, this particular sport like some children have yet to be given recognition. And although the silence of this particular sport for women is still a factor, the heart of the players on the team beat in harmony and in unison because the passion of the game automatically seeps through their pores as it does with the life of a child on a playground.
Who is to say what is appropriate when it comes to talent, passion and the adrenaline to succeed and be part of something bigger than themself. From politics to sports, to education and entertainment, anyone has the power to "succeed" and grow if they have the willpower, drive, support, resources and endurance.
As you find yourself not understanding a particular choice, situation, talent and/or interest - attend an event, a game or talk to the key participants to gain the knowledge, experience and energy behind it. As you seek information, respect the diversity, passion and character behind the person. As you acknowledge the differences and uniqueness of others, support their efforts to develop and grow to levels beyond their wildest dreams (eg. the first man on the moon, the first woman physician).
Some opportunities come along once in a lifetime but if we plant the seeds for others as well as that of ourselves, there is know telling what we as a people can accomplish for generations to come. As we continue to cross through the lines of color and gender, we add an element of transition and transformation behind not only how we see others but how we see ourselves while breaking the barriers between children and adults.
- George Bernard Shaw
A child is as delicate as a flower and with love and attention he/she can bloom into a beautiful, charismatic adult. It is without this nurturance that things can go awry.
Recently I had the rare opportunity to watch my cousin play professional football. Who would have guessed a women's pro ball team. Unfortunately, unlike the WMBA, this particular sport like some children have yet to be given recognition. And although the silence of this particular sport for women is still a factor, the heart of the players on the team beat in harmony and in unison because the passion of the game automatically seeps through their pores as it does with the life of a child on a playground.
Who is to say what is appropriate when it comes to talent, passion and the adrenaline to succeed and be part of something bigger than themself. From politics to sports, to education and entertainment, anyone has the power to "succeed" and grow if they have the willpower, drive, support, resources and endurance.
As you find yourself not understanding a particular choice, situation, talent and/or interest - attend an event, a game or talk to the key participants to gain the knowledge, experience and energy behind it. As you seek information, respect the diversity, passion and character behind the person. As you acknowledge the differences and uniqueness of others, support their efforts to develop and grow to levels beyond their wildest dreams (eg. the first man on the moon, the first woman physician).
Some opportunities come along once in a lifetime but if we plant the seeds for others as well as that of ourselves, there is know telling what we as a people can accomplish for generations to come. As we continue to cross through the lines of color and gender, we add an element of transition and transformation behind not only how we see others but how we see ourselves while breaking the barriers between children and adults.
Posted by De Vida Bell at 7/16/2009 9:00 PM 
Categories: Service to Others
Tags: servicing others differences emotional well-being communication helping others
Categories: Service to Others
Tags: servicing others differences emotional well-being communication helping others
Nice and deep, like the author.
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excellent piece!
believe it. achieve it. pass it on.
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This speeks volumes to how we as adults can plant a seed and not even know it, but at the same time if it is in our hearts to do well by nature our work will always be watched by those who seek to be like us. !!!!!!
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