Getting a Life!

I'm currently reading "FLuke" by Christopher Moore, adn it's about a guy who researches whales, and Friday night I saw the movie "Millions" and it was about a boy who found a lot of money and he wanted to do good with it. So with those things on my mind, I have been thinking about how people with a purpose are cool. The Do-Gooder hippie types of the world. (Excluding Jesus Freaks, but I'll avoid that rant considering it's Easter and I am not a total heathen.) But the social workers, the selfless ones, the non-profit people with a cause. (Non-profit meaning charity organizations, not the backers of "Frozen Foods Month", but that's another post coming soon!) But I am so SICK of self-absorbed bullshit of some people and their stupid fucking problems. The "all-I-ever-do-is-shop-and-prowl-bars-with-my-lookalike-friends-but-why-am-I-still-single" losers and the like. So I have been taking note of people I know or meet who live for a purpose or at least work towards one.

The more passionate the better, assuming I agree with your issue! I mean "Condi for President" or those lunatics who are staking out that hospice where that poor woman is dying in Florida, not what I have in mind. I mean the "Free Willy" folks, or the "Habitat for Humanity" group. Doing something that serves another cause, and not "in the name of Jesus"! Of course, most of the Christians serve good causes, but I think it seems more genuine if the Jesus motivation is less obvious.

Sometimes I consider my job to be a service to others. I hope that throwing some wife-beaters in jail makes the world a better place, but I don't kid myself. It doesn't. Maybe those fifteen minutes I spend with the victim give her something, even if just a venue for her to feel like she matters. But I think I may need to move on to something that is more directly a positive for other humans in the future.

But dammit if the devil doesn't keep me wanting a paycheck that sustains bi-weekly pedicures, quarterly girls' trips with the necessary outfits, and whatever other thing I feel I need. I guess I convince myself that I do serve others in my job. In fact, I know I do, but I would love the effects to be more blatant, more immediate.

Last year, I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and it was so enjoyable. I only did it two times, but we made dinner for the families of children who were in the hospital. That felt good, something so small for people doing so much. I need to do more of that. No paycheck, maybe even no "thank-you" but a time where my efforts serve something or someone else.

We can't all work for non-profits, the world doesn't work that way. And a lot of us have a lot of needs and responsibiliteis in our own lives, with sick relatives or are mothers of children who deserve our attention. But dogs don't need birthday parties, and I suspect most of us would feel better on a weekend night if we volunteered somewhere as opposed to another two hours of junk tv. (but let's not even contemplate at least 5 nights of tv people, I'm human afterall!)

My Easter resolutions:

Volunteer at least once a month.
Work out more.
Call my last living grandparent at least once a month.
Stop Eating Girl Scout cookies!
Shave more often! (I really hate shaving my legs, but it's so uncool to not!)