I really appreciated this post at Fearless Wonder. Ann writes about her Thanksgiving adventure and the resulting questions and ideas about doing mitzvah. I especially like her honesty, openness, questions and action. Here are two sections ripped from their context:
I have a couple of volunteer projects coming up, and I know I need to do them. If there is one thing Buddhism and Christianity agree on it is showing compassion for those in need. I am convicted about it. I have all the necessary skills. I have the time. I also have fear and selfishness working against me. I don't want volunteering to interfere with all the "fun" stuff I really want to be doing. For example, last night there was a chance we could have met up with some new friends. It didn't end up working out, but part of me wanted to ditch the Homeless feed to meet these friends. Also, I have this lingering fear of failure which keeps me from volunteer opportunities. I fear I will fail somehow at the project, or fail to please the people I will meet/help when volunteering.
If I wait until I have pure altruistic motives I will never do anything and there is so much that needs doing.
[entire article]
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