The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
We are truly graced. We are truly advantaged. We know it and we're immensely grateful for that. That our loved ones are able to live well and with some satisfaction in their lives. That they have evolved into reasonable, intelligent and compassionate people. With sound values and priorities.
What more could a couple, married for 53 years, wish for life? We've good health, a comfortable life, and enjoyment in all of that.
Moreover, it's spring! Our gardens are hastening their blooming process; everything is colourful, alive, resurgently beautiful. The weather is delightful, and we appreciate everything that we have achieved together. Our two little companion dogs were barbered in our backyard yesterday and subsequently shampooed.
When there is a need outside our own within our broad community - and beyond - we do out utmost to offer what we can to help. Which leads me once again to the ugly need to agree to venture outside our front door, canvass kit in hand, going house to house for one charitable enterprise after another.
It's truly a downer, knocking on someone's door, or ringing their doorbell, presenting a bright and shining face, introducing the charity you happen to be representing at that particular time and cheerily asking if your neighbour would be interested in donating...? Some do, generously and with a kind heart. They will also, some minority of them, thank you for coming by.
Others will retain you, for conversations that seem to last forever, while you're anxious to get out there and get on with it - there's a lot of doors to knock at. Of course, you know most of those doors, and the people behind them. Little wonder, since you've been canvassing for so many charities for so many years, on this very same street. Other streets where you've been domiciled elsewhere, before this one.
But despite having done this for decades, it's still a cringe-inducing pursuit. Many people simply don't take kindly to anyone appearing at their door to encourage them to give up money. As a result there's a broad 40% - 50% refusal rate. Those among any population who simply will not support charitable enterprise that supports and benefits their community. Even when they themselves have had obvious needs of some of those services.
Some refuse with insouciance, some with truly ill grace, some regretfully, some with nasty artifice, playing little games of come back another day please, and you do, and they don't. It's disappointing when there are people you genuinely like, interact with on occasion, have good relations with, yet they cannot see their way clear to releasing a few disposable dollars in support of charity.
All the more so when you're very well aware of their superior economic condition. Their response is confounding. Very much unlike the gracious generosity of others for whom spontaneous giving becomes a valued way of life; those people you wouldn't mind hugging for their humanity.
What more could a couple, married for 53 years, wish for life? We've good health, a comfortable life, and enjoyment in all of that.
Moreover, it's spring! Our gardens are hastening their blooming process; everything is colourful, alive, resurgently beautiful. The weather is delightful, and we appreciate everything that we have achieved together. Our two little companion dogs were barbered in our backyard yesterday and subsequently shampooed.
When there is a need outside our own within our broad community - and beyond - we do out utmost to offer what we can to help. Which leads me once again to the ugly need to agree to venture outside our front door, canvass kit in hand, going house to house for one charitable enterprise after another.
It's truly a downer, knocking on someone's door, or ringing their doorbell, presenting a bright and shining face, introducing the charity you happen to be representing at that particular time and cheerily asking if your neighbour would be interested in donating...? Some do, generously and with a kind heart. They will also, some minority of them, thank you for coming by.
Others will retain you, for conversations that seem to last forever, while you're anxious to get out there and get on with it - there's a lot of doors to knock at. Of course, you know most of those doors, and the people behind them. Little wonder, since you've been canvassing for so many charities for so many years, on this very same street. Other streets where you've been domiciled elsewhere, before this one.
But despite having done this for decades, it's still a cringe-inducing pursuit. Many people simply don't take kindly to anyone appearing at their door to encourage them to give up money. As a result there's a broad 40% - 50% refusal rate. Those among any population who simply will not support charitable enterprise that supports and benefits their community. Even when they themselves have had obvious needs of some of those services.
Some refuse with insouciance, some with truly ill grace, some regretfully, some with nasty artifice, playing little games of come back another day please, and you do, and they don't. It's disappointing when there are people you genuinely like, interact with on occasion, have good relations with, yet they cannot see their way clear to releasing a few disposable dollars in support of charity.
All the more so when you're very well aware of their superior economic condition. Their response is confounding. Very much unlike the gracious generosity of others for whom spontaneous giving becomes a valued way of life; those people you wouldn't mind hugging for their humanity.
Labels: Miscellaneous, Values
posted by Pieface @ 7:22 PM
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