I’m talking a good(ish) game

Several months ago I was in need of a local company that could help my organization design and develop a website. New to the game, I didn’t know where to turn. So, of course, I ended up on Twitter, and found the lovely and talented Jen Banks. She guided me through the process of finding what I needed and, as a result of our interactions, I started corresponding with her.

It wasn’t long before I realized what an inspiration I had been lucky enough to meet.

Since I had my oldest son, I’ve worked diligently to raise him in way that reflects what I consider are important traits: generosity, kindness, empathy and honesty. While I demur when people compliment me on what a wonderful young man he is, I’ve proud of the values I’ve instilled, because I see them reflected the choices he makes on a daily basis. He’s not afraid to acknowledge someone who’s “different” and has been known on more than one occasion to spend his last dollar on buying someone in need a cup of coffee or a sandwich.

He makes me proud through his actions, but I can’t say I’m proud of mine.

As the years have passed, I’ve become less active in my contributions to making my community one that’s inclusive. Sure, I donate a meager portion of my monthly paycheque to a local charity, but that amount hasn’t gone up as my wage has. I’ve volunteered at the local youth emergency shelter, but I am not even involved enough to know their new name since a recent brand refresh.

When there’s a food bank challenge, I’ll scour the cupboards for extra supplies to donate and, when my beau told me his company had extra computers that were headed for the recycling bin, I suggested the organization that supports young, at-risk parents who are trying to get an education and break out of poverty.

In short, I’m talking a good(ish) game, but i’m sure as hell not living it.

Meeting Jen has changed that. When she introduced Make Jen’s Day, I was out of the province, blowing money hand-over-fist in a misguided attempt to have a family holiday. It was an unmitigated disaster and I returned to Edmonton dejected, demoralized and broke, in no mood to do anything but revel in a pity party, let alone participate in prioritizing someone’s else’s needs over mine. I had a horrible holiday!

Talk about first-world problems.

As Jen’s idea took flight, I watched with awe and a bit of trepedition, because the thought of how I could contribute in a meaningful way–how I could help, which would invariabely mean donating my precious time or money–eluded me.

Then Jen, in her gentle but pointed way, shone a light on my lassitude. She asked me to contrtibute to her site. And, for all intent and purposes, I haven’t done my homework.

So I’m accepting her challenge, with full and total understanding on my part that I have to get over my sense of “but what will contributing take from me?” and change it into, “that little thing I did had an impact on someone else.”

This is going to be a long journey, but the idea of Make Jen’s Day, to make small gestures daily that will blossom into a movement that positively impacts those who are forgotten, ignored or mistreated, is a trip I am excited to take.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Cait Wills