curious volunteer's Open Salon Blog

Karma Yoga - Feels So Good

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:06:35 -0400

“I am ready to act with courage and integrity.” John Selby.

According to John Selby, in his book entitled “Expand This Moment,” upon the pronunciation of the first five words “I am ready to act…”, a person’s unconscious focus shifts from a passive to an active mode. Just the utterance takes the brain to a higher gear, and accordingly, the spirit follows. And, this led me to the discovery of karma yoga and the awareness that, up until now, I was an unwitting practitioner.

Karma means “to do” and yoga is “union with the divine.” Together, the two lead to a path of union through action.

In January 2009, I unknowingly embarked on a karma yoga journey. My innocent new year’s resolution to become more engaged in my community carried me to extreme heights of happiness which seemed inexplicable. Until now.

After six months, perhaps before, I realized that my random acts of volunteering directly correlated to my new and improved ability to feel content and complete for sustained periods of time. And, let me tell you, the service I performed involved 2-4 hours a month! And, let me be clear, my acts of service during this time involved interviewing, documenting, envelop stuffing, shoe collecting, asparagus picking and the like. I wasn’t acting like Mother Theresa; I didn’t even have contact with the people for whom the benefits of my time and energy served. And, as each month passed, my spirit soared higher and higher.

With my new year’s resolution half complete, I puzzled over my transformation. I didn’t set out to become happier and contented per se. My logical mind kept insisting upon a rational answer to the question “How did this happen to me?”

At first I chalked my experience up to karma. I must have good karma and this added element of volunteering was pushing my balance over the top and I was reaping the rewards I deserved. That sounds rather silly, even now, however it sustained me until another idea, a better idea, surfaced in my brain.

The question tugged and pulled at my mind. Always playing like background music, my listening and observations continued as I whiled away the months donating blood for the first time, working registration tables, cooking/cleaning/washing dishes and waitressing, bartending, stocking pantry shelves and finally prancing around as one of Santa’s elves. From August to December, I continued showing up for various duties at different nonprofits. Always willing. Sometimes unsure, especially when assigned the elf task. (Aren’t elves supposed to be young?) Nonetheless, I carried enough curiosity and willingness to touch and be touched on the deepest levels of my heart. After all, the year had brought blood, sweat and tears along with the most beautiful gifts of humanity and intimacy. I just allowed myself to trust in the process.

I’ve practiced yoga on and off in my life. I’ve been searching for just the right class: the one which requires my mind to stretch just as much as my body. Ever-searching, ever testing, ever spending and I have yet to plant my feet in the right class with the perfect teacher. Or so I thought. Until I read the last chapter of John Selby’s book, Expand This Moment (April 2011, New World Library), I found the answer to all my questions about happiness in just two words.

Karma Yoga

“…a way of acting, thinking and willing by which you orient yourself toward realization of letting yourself be guided by your heart, without consideration of your personal desires, likes or dislikes. You accomplish this by acting without being attached to the fruits of your deeds. … balancing spiritual development with spiritual expression each and every day seems to be an ideal stance for most of us. … shifting your attention to action, to karma yoga.”

Yes, that’s me. YES! Yoga practiced off the mat and in the real world with others sharing a goal of creating common good. This is my perfect yoga practice. And it’s the answer to all my questions.

Once my twelve month resolution was achieved in December 2009, I knew one thing for certain. My heart and soul needed to continue serving others. There was a time during the fall of that year, when I couldn’t express my overwhelming feelings of gratitude and humility. Tears spilled onto my cheeks at the very thought of how blessed I was and at the idea of being filled with grace. My inability to hold my emotions in check annoyed me to no end because my wobbly voice, shaking hands, racing heart all barred me from communicating to others.

In early spring, I gave up trying to rejoice out loud and turned inward to cherish my precious peace. After all, my life wasn’t perfect. I still was unemployed. My family life was turbulent and fraught with illnesses of the mind and body. Relationships strained further as financial pressures increased. And yet, in the middle of disaster, I felt profoundly supported and content. I found an oasis of unconditional love and comfort even as I walked in a world of trouble.

I continued volunteering throughout 2010 – adding new roles: wood polisher, cat companion, dog-waste bag distributor, information desk attendant. I set-up or tore-down, depending upon the need. I sold swag, distributed questionnaires, collected trash, performed quality control inspections, and so on. I broadened my volunteer scope from Denver to Grand Lake, Colorado; to Park City, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada and the Washington, D.C. area. Whether working in Rock Creek Park or in a mountain hostel, whether urban (Bethesda) or country (New Windsor, Maryland), I go where I find a good cause and anywhere that will accept my offer to help.

Now, I understand what this journey is all about. Each time I venture out to new and friendly environments, the occasion causes my focus to shift to the present moment. Surrounded by unfamiliarity, my mind pays close attention to the job at hand. So not only when I say I’m ready to act but also when I do spring into action, I am an actor in life’s karmic yoga class. I am tuned-in to receive and inspired to transmit. It’s pure. It’s right. And, it feels so good.

Too read more, visit Curious Volunteer’s blog and the Denver Post online edition:

http://open.salon.com/blog/curious_volunteer

http://denver.yourhub.com/GreenwoodVillage/Stories/News/Nonprofit/Story~710328.aspx

March 2011, Vicarious Volunteer?

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:04:18 -0400

Virtual volunteerism. Is that just as valid as showing up in person and doing the job in the company others? In March, I highlight the job of volunteer editor for the Wazee Journal (www.wazeejournal.org) which is an online literary magazine dedicated to new, independent writing.

In this role, I am priviledged to read up close accounts, true stories, about the author's most intimate and personal life experiences. I read hundreds of submissions over the course of a year. The e-zine is published semi-annually and submissions are received daily. The journal attracts first-class talent. If you are a writer, interested in submitting, read on.

** ** **

When I read Ed Gutierrez’s story “The Memory of Loss”, I was moved to immediately respond with acceptance for publication in the Wazee Journal (www.wazeejournal.org). The submission was received just days before the deadline. Upon second read I knew I must act fast. A piece like this is a rarity in a world where nonfiction authors notoriously write in excruciating detail about their latest surgery, or similarly, about a hospital experience.

Second to adventures in ill-health are stories of death, dying, and grieving. “Memory” was similarly themed however unique in circumstance. Ed Gutierrez told a candid, personal story of New Year’s horror when his family discovered the murder-suicide of mother and brother.

Typically, as an editor, I like to veer away from the standard nonfiction fare. Humor is always a favorite of mine. And, Steve Heim’s Firewood Guy made me laugh out loud.

Cara Lopez Lee’s No Travel Romances and Dedale W.R.’s A Lesson in Love both weave two distinctly different tales of love. Dedale teaches English to girls in Juvenile Hall. Global trekker Cara, author of They Only Eat Their Husbands, sets the scene in Thailand where she reveals a failed hook-up attempt.

HOW TO FIND A VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER GIG

People engaged in virtual volunteering can find a wide-range of local and international activities to devote themselves to. My favorite resource is VolunteerMatch.com. Here are some ideas of the tasks that volunteers can perform virtually:

Translation – either live (via Skype) or written word
Research – on a variety of topics
Web Design and Webmaster – creating and maintaining web content
Writing and editing – crafting proposals, press releases, newsletter articles, social media posts on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Lesson planning - developing material for a curriculum
Computer-related work – database entry or creation and maintenance
Graphic design
Advise – experts in their fields can share their knowledge
Teach – as a mentor or tutor, help with homework and learning
Moderate – become active in a favorite online community
And the list goes on and on.

AUTHORS, POETS, ARTISTS

Interested in subscribing to the Wazee Journal and submitting your work? Check out the website at www.wazeejournal.org.

Gray, Cloudy & 7am Saturday: Time to Clean the Park

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 08:04:28 -0400

This could be a piece about fashion because my outfit and accessories will be chosen carefully. This could be a piece about health because I'll be outdoors doing exercise and mingling with new neighbors (mental health). It could be a piece about politics because I'm in DC. It could also be a piece about travel because the National Cherry Blossom Parade starts in two hours. But, it's a piece about the environment.

Don't hit the snooze button! Join me in Rock Creek Park as we rock the park with a clean up crew that spans the entire 200 mile stretch. It's a yucky day - rained all day yesterday and it's gray and cloud now. I'll be the outdoors, breathing humidity and loam. The temperature is ... wait, let me look at my phone. It's a moderately cool 45 degrees with an expected high of 57.

I'll be out there, scooping up the debris left by passing motorists for the next four hours. Wish me well. I'm packing extra bags as I'm expecting to fill several. Aluminum cans will know no safety. Beer bottles better watch out.

Article coming soon. Pix will be included. I want to know if these jeans make my butt look big and do my shoes match my bag? Happy Saturday everyone!

Breaking My Rules

Tue, 5 Apr 2011 20:04:01 -0400

Since January 2009, I commit and write about my random acts of volunteerism. What began as a New Year’s Resolution to get out from under my rock, turned into real fun as I began exploring volunteer opportunities available in and around Denver. Feats daring, daunting, boring and challenging – I have been willing to lend a hand and try just about anything. As I chronicle my way through schools for the blind and pay-what-you-can cafes, I hope I inspire readers to explore their communities and get involved.

Eventually I branched out to exploring vacation hot spots (like Las Vegas, NV where twisted readers thought I was advocating more than pet adoption and Park City, UT where my husband feared I had set off with a serial killer). Now my volunteer trajectory orbits the D.C.-area.

I have a few rules about my volunteering. They are mostly private rules for my own comfort. And, if I break a rule or two along the way, I answer to no one but myself. But, today, I’m going to share my rules with you because I’m about to break another one.

Numbers One, Two and Three – I don’t write about any volunteering related to political, medical or religious causes. That’s not to say that I’m not active in any of these areas. I just don’t think that I need to lend my voice to groups which already have large volunteer resources. My focus is on smaller, grassroots organizations (generally). I broke the rule when one October I volunteered at the registration booth on race day for the National Kidney Foundation (and froze my butt off – you know what they say about karma…). And I inadvertently broke it again when I showed up to be a tour guide at the Center for Experiential Lifelong Learning (CELL) which was a political cause in disguise (trauma induced by repeated terrorist attack simulations….).

Number Four - I only showcase a nonprofit that I actually volunteer for. The opposite would be to write about a non-profit that someone invited me to observe and then expected me to highlight just because it was a worthy cause. That’s not how I roll. I need to be actively involved on at least one occasion. So you never read about the Greyhound Adoption weekend because all I did was watch people pick up newly arrived dogs and pick the ticks out from between their toes. Watching other people work isn’t my idea of being active in the community.

Number Five – My volunteer stints are suitable for anyone to do. I receive no prior training. The only time I spend with the non-profit is during my three to four hours of work. I have no special talents other than a willingness to donate time and my two hands.

Number Six – I don’t give money to any of the organizations. I only donate time.

Number Seven – My writing focuses only on my work unless other volunteers give me permission to mention them. Early on, I was volunteering with one other gentleman. He was “doing community service” while I was volunteering. Identical jobs notwithstanding, our motivation was different. He was on his lunch hour and what his boss didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

On the other hand, in real life, there are organizations I volunteer for frequently, not just once. I don’t highlight that fact. But one of the benefits of trying out new venues is that I get to know where I feel comfortable and what I enjoy doing. For example, I became a regular volunteer for the S.A.M.E. Café. I joined the board of directors for Socially Conscious Coffee. I donate blood frequently, especially during the slow months of the year (July, August, November and December).

My March 2011 assignment was a virtual gig meaning I can do it from the comfort of my own home as long as I’m connected to the Internet. It’s also one that I do regularly. That will be my next post. And that will be breaking rules number five and number eight.

Number Eight: I only write about nonprofits that are new to me.

So, in all, out of dozens of volunteers experiences, I have broken four out of eight rules. OK – maybe they are just guidelines.

SERRVing in February - Food, Shopping and Fun

Sun, 6 Mar 2011 15:03:21 -0500

In February I volunteered in New Windsor, Maryland at SERRV. My friend Joyce suggested this organization because a) she’d enjoyed her volunteer experience there and b) it is a shopper’s paradise. If you are a shopper who prefers the unique and varied over cookie-cutter shopping mall fare; and/or if you are a socially conscious consumer, this is your kind of venue. Being more aware of the origin of your purchase has been in the news this week. How can American consumers put their spending dollars to better use? By choosing to buy American-made goods over imported ones. Well, at SERRV you can do this and more.

REMEMBER ABC? ALWAYS BUY COLORADO?

Since I’m from Colorado, I’ll start here first. If you consider yourself to be a foodie, have you ever tasted soups from Denver’s Womens Bean Project? The magic beans are used to transform women’s lives. The Bean is where my volunteer journey began back in December 2008. SERRV carries a full line of soups and can be purchased online here. My favorite? Organic Six Bean with added ground buffalo (which is locally raised). Or imagine whirled peas with the Beans Split Pea Soup. Just add ham.

ALWAYS BUY AMERICAN – IT’S NEW AGAIN

Northward - check out wild rice from Northern Minnesota. Hand-harvested by Native Americans on the White Earth reservation, this product is preservative-free and 100% wild rice, not a blend of rice and grains which is commonly available. I am a big fan of wild rice and whenever I see the pure product, I buy it. My favorite recipes come from Beth Anderson’s Wild Rice For All Seasons. This cookbook is truly the best there is for wild rice. Here’s a great recipe for health conscious gourmets from the book, taken from the Hungrymonster.com, Wild Rice Topping.

BESIDES SHOPPING….

As a volunteer, I was part of the quality control inspection team. I made the solo journey to New Windsor from Bethesda, about an hour drive north and east. I joined a group of seniors who travelled from York, Pennsylvania and we had a rousing good time unpacking, unfolding, pricing, re-folding and re-packing tea towels and aprons. This group of men and women donate time on a monthly basis. I found that many people participated at SERRV in this capacity. Another group of three female friends come from Martinsville, MD. Without the service of volunteers, SERRV would be unable to operate. Volunteer coordinator, Mary Ann Grossnickel, will put you to work.

BESIDES AMERICAN….

Volunteers are treated very well at the SERRV location. Food is provided during work breaks. Delicious chocolate bars were shared. If you are all about the chocolate, this is the place to buy. Witness this YouTube video about the chocolates.

The story behind the chocolate is rich. Farmers in Ghana grow the cocoa beans which eventually become Divine Chocolates. I love the raspberry and dark chocolate and there are other products to choose from. Suggestions for pairing these bars with tea and wine, as well as a chocolate tasting guide are all here.

IMAGINE WORLD PEACE

SERRV’s mission is to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. SERRV’s work and our purchases directly impact the global market in areas where income inequality and poor living conditions exist. SERRV works to bring balance to the world.

And they do this one product at a time, all over the world. Olive Oil from Galilee, Israel. Since 1996, Sindyanna of Galilee has been working with the Arab population. Managed and founded by women, Sindyanna works in partnerships with Israelis and Palestinians restoring the Arab olive industry. Read more here.

However, it is more than just buying and selling. SERRV aide comes in many forms:

· Prepayments so suppliers and partners can sustain their businesses

· New design creation so they can build their markets

· New skills learning so they can develop their crafts

· Providing grants so they can expand their resources

And in doing so, SERRV supports equal rights for women, guides sustainable development and pays a fair wage. For 60 years, SERRV has been helping people around the world earn a living wage.

NO ONE SAYS IT BETTER THAN SERRV

“SERRV with us and craft an experience that will reward every person it touches, and build a
sustainable style of life that’ll be enriching for us all.” I agree.

Frequently asked questions about SERRV – click here.

This article is part of a monthly series about volunteer opportunities, varied and dispersed. I show that anyone, anywhere can find a niche and help make the world a better place. You can contact me directly at curious_volunteer at yahoo dot com.