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VOLUNTEER

YESTERDAY

What a stressful place my head was yesterday morning. I was filled with inner dialogue about everything and anything…365 til 30…posts…life…money…book proposals…laundry…writing assignments…to do lists…meetings….social media…blah…blah…blah. The laundry was seriously stressing me out- I had left the house that morning with boy shorts on as underwear because I had run out of everything else. Classy. Then I went to a fitting were a dog ate my ballet flats when I took them off and I had to walk around the rest of the day with holes in the heel of my shoes. Surprisingly, I was able to see the humor in that as I wobbled into starbuck’s for a coffee.

Yesterday also happened to be the day I was scheduled to start my first day as a volunteer at PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) writing resume cover letters for the residents to help them (hopefully) get jobs.  I have been looking forward to starting at PATH for the last two weeks. I was really excited to find this organization because I have been wanting to work on a more one on one basis with individuals.

Cut to yesterday…I was pulling up to my volunteer session and feeling very tapped out. Wasn’t sure if I had anything to give that day AND I couldn’t stop thinking about getting home to do the pile of laundry and all the other things I wanted to do for myself.   I even thought about going home and starting the volunteer committment next week.  Truly selfish, huh? But….I didn’t.

When I walked in I was brought to the job center and introduced to Julie. The team leader explained to her that I would be assisting her in writing cover letters and helping her to apply for jobs. She looked up at me and her lip started to quiver and she started to tear. It wasn’t the response I was expecting and my heart broke…seriously broke. All the things I had been worrying about seemed so utterly pathetic and small. What a crap I am, I thought, so worried about little things when my life is pretty perfect. Sure I have worries and concerns like everybody but I have a roof over my head, a job, love in my life and 365 til 30 (which is like my baby).

I hugged Julie and told her it would be better. That we would make it better…somehow…someway…we would make it better that day and she said “ok thanks”. We sat down and spent hours writing cover letters. I finally felt like I was in my day and totally with the person in front of me – and not in my head. Nothing else was on my agenda but finding Julie a job. We even started to have some fun with them. I also enjoyed hearing about her life and wants and hopes and talents. She is a lovely, smart, funny and honest person. At the end of the afternoon she gave me a big hug and said thank you and that she was excited to send them out. I felt like I was skipping on rainbows the rest of the afternoon.

My perspective had changed. It’s funny when you are feeling stuck in your own worries, you sometimes forget that a whole other world exists out there.

As I was walking out the door I overheard the team leader tell another resident this…

“Keep your eyes on the prize and the right door will open for you”

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Please contact PATH if you would like to volunteer for the organization.

Tags: 365 til, 365 til 30, goals, Gratitude, Homeless, Kate McClafferty, Los angeles, PATH, turning 30, Volunteering, work