Time is a tricky thing. What else ticks on so infinitely on the one hand, yet on the other is preciously scarce. For the individual, there is but one fixed allotment.
I’ve hit that point in life when my reckoning with how I spend my share of the time comes more fiercely and frequently. Not that I’ve carelessly let life slip past to this point, but there’s a different sense of urgency. This shift is less about age than place. As I’ve taken progressively more responsibility at work, the room for extracurriculars shrinks.
I may always want to do more, but getting in the weeds of a new commitment means a sacrifice to the things I hold dear, namely health and family.
How I can get involved in community has shifted toward donor, convener and thinker. Doer must be reserved for the cases when it’s do or die, totally aligned with passion and personal purpose. And even then, I can only really only do one or two well.
Volunteering for specific tasks is a great way to get to know a new organization, and I don’t know many causes who couldn’t use more doers on their team. Connecting in on that higher level of strategic thinker or mentor is a trickier place to start.
So here I am with just a little time and a lot of thought to give. It’s like I’m in that awkward point where I don’t feel confident asking for a place at the adult table, but I’ve long outgrown sitting with the kids, knees knocking the table top.
I’m hovering around the edge of the big kid’s table, looking to match what I have to give with groups working to solve problems and build cool things in this city.
This post is part of Think Kit by SmallBox
Today’s prompt: “How do you want get involved in your community this year?”
Image credit: Time On Line by victo_nuno via flickr