Blog Challenge Day 15: O is Observation



Every evening after dinner my husband laughs at me and always for the same reason. As soon as I finish eating I turn away from the table to the window and start my daily observation. As our dinning table stands right next to our sloping window it requires only one move from me and I am already looking outside. What do I observe? The streets, the cars passing by, people coming home after work and others walking their dogs in the park, kids playing, adults jogging and everything else what's happening that time. Sometimes, the streets are still and quiet and on the other days they're full of events.

The view from my daily observation point

Why do I do it? Partially it's to see other people and be a little bit nosy - I see them but they don't see me and I can think of where they're going, where they are coming from and who are they rushing to see without being spotted. The most important reason though is to see what's going on out there, how the world is moving, what's happening at certain times of the day and of the week. Even if there is nothing going on, there is always the nature to observe. We live in the west of London, so usually in the evening we can see the sun going down emanating with purple and orange all over the place. And there is always an option of just looking out far far away and imagining what's there.

 

It's not only those window moments that I use for the observation. I love going to the park, sit down on a bench and observe the passers by. Did you know that each park has its own character? Depending on what time of the day you visit, you'll see a different side of it. In the morning you get actie joggers, later on mums relaxing with kids and a bit older but peaceful people and in the evening you get a mix from the neighbourhood. In London, there are high and mighty royal parks, like Regent’s Park, there are more public ones, do-what-you-feel-like parks like Hyde Park. At the bottom of the ladder there are local parks and fields. But they actually take first place in people's hearts.

I observe when I am on the tube. I am always wondering what people are doing when there is nothing to do? Most of them is reading a newspaper or playing games on their phone but some share experience of the day with another person or have different conversations (observing includes listening).
I observe when I am walking on the street or when I am in the church. My eyes are open constantly. Maybe I'll spot something new or original, maybe I'll be able to help somebody or maybe I'll just learn something about people. Because observation is not just about being nosy and spying on people but it's a way to understand what's going on around me, what am I involved in, where is my place in all that and how do I fit in.  

Blog Challenge Day 5: E is for Encouragement

I could write about exercices I try to do regularly (pay attention to the word "try"). I could tell you about some of the experiences of my life. Or about explorations that give me a thrill. Or about emotions I feel every time I see my husband after a long and hard day or when I read what my mum wrote for me inside the books, notebooks and cards. As much as all of those things are important, fun, they matter to me and they're part of your life as well, I want to write about something what involves both of us and if you haven't heard them from me yet, I do apologise. And I promise, you'll one day. They are the words of encouragement.

 

In the world where more often we hear you're not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, you're really messed up that last project, you're not going to get far in your life and other ugly things, we need to value the power of the words of encouragement, no matter where they come from. You look pretty in this dress - you should wear it more often. You're really good at photography - start taking professional pictures and submit them for a competition. You should be singing professionally - I really like your concerts in the shower, let more people enjoy them. Yes, let's do it. Let's try, even if we fail.

 

I wish I was encouraging people more often, but usually scepticism and realism take over. But, as in every part of live, when we want to encourage someone we need to relax and see what's going to happen. I always try to see positive characteristics in all people I know. It's something that is special about them and I plead guilty for not telling them that and for not encouraging them to do something about it.

 

I love this anecdote quoted in a book called "Strengths finder 2.0" and originally coming from Mark Twain. The writer once described a man who died and met Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates... Knowing that Saint Peter was very wise, the man asked a question that he had wondered about throughout his life.
He said, "Saint Peter, I have been interested in military history for many years. Who was the greatest general of all time?"
Saint Peter quickly responded, "Oh that's a simple question. It's that man right over there."
"You must be mistaken," responded the man, now very perplexed. "I knew that man on earth, and he was just a common labourer."
"That's right my friend," assured Saint Peter. "He would have been the greatest general of all time, if he had been a general."

What if he was encouraged to be a military?

Encouragement gives birth to enthusiasm and enthusiasm is like a released super power. You never know where it's going to take you. So today, I encourage you all with all my love for you good people, sit and watch this video from Tina Roth Eisenberg and be truly encouraged to become more than you've ever dreamt about.

  

Tina Roth Eisenberg: 5 Rules for Making an Impact from 99U on Vimeo.

Micro-Volunteering: Micro effort, maxi effect

Volunteering has become popular in last couple of years. People are getting more involved. They enjoy doing something for the sake of others without being paid. And companies set aside a volunteering days for their employees and people get closer in the communities thanks to that.

As it develops, there are new ways of volunteering coming up. One of them is micro-volunteering. It is made for those who don't have enough time to volunteer physically. It is about helping an organisation or a project to develop while on a lunch break or even without going out from home or your own bed. Some of the activities require 20-30 minutes but some can be done in few seconds or minutes and can be completed with a smartphone. Now, we all can help!

 

It's hard to scribble "the history" of micro-volunteering. Actually, we can say that it has always existed. People in their spare time might have been helping their neighbours, friends or siblings. Though, in last 10 years or so it has been shaped to what it is now, thanks to technology, smartphones in particular. Among organisations which popularised micro-volunteering you can find Microvoluntarios.org, Extraordinaries or HelpfromHome.org and recently Orange's app "Do Some Good".

 

As the micro-volunteering organisations are growing, there are also more and more opportunities for people to choose from. Tasks can be as simple as donating money with one click or donating your hair. However, most of them requires more effort but those are also more rewarding. You can be crafting quilts for babies, signing anti-deportation petition, writing a letter to help promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma, protect wildlife, notify the authorities about water related incident to add to the the water safety map, add a picture to the database of free pictures or to a world map and share you knowledge to answer someone's question. Owners of Helpfromhome.org suggest you can even organise a micro-volunteering party with your friends and do some good while having fun.

 

The idea of micro-volunteering may seem trivial to some. But if you think that thanks to it everyone can contribute to the society in some way, it becomes more meaningful. After all, even 20 minutes spent on translating a letter that will reach milions of people is better than doing nothing. I do agree with Helpfromhome.org founder who says that it's really easy to help. You don't need money, much time or creativity, you just complete tasks other people invented for you.

 

Good Gym: Run the Race With a Purpose

Good Gym runners do good not only to their bodies but also to other people. 

It was few minutes past meeting time when I arrived to Archway Gallery in East London to join the runners from Good Gym. They get together every week in different locations to run and do something for the community – move the furniture at school, help elderly people or organise a community garden. Simple yet meaningful .  

I passed the door and a thick curtain and saw over two dozen people warming up before the run. I quietly joined them. People were still coming in - some of them directly from work. After a quick change of uniform they were joining the rest of the group. Mark, the leader of the group, announced the most important things - the route (7 km) and the purpose of that run (shuffling a big heap of soil in a community garden) I was soaking in the atmosphere of doing something good with other people. Over thirty of us who barely knew each other gathered together to help others. And one thing was going through our mind - run to help others and increase the level of good done in the local community. As we were getting ready to set off, I breathed in the atmosphere of partnership and working for common good. That's the fuel to run on! 

The sky was already turning darker when we finally set off but it didn't discourage anyone. Once we reached Victoria Park and were running along the canal we were already spread across few hundred metres. While trying to catch breath I spoke about Good Gym to its coordinator Mark.
While  we were talking, we reached the end of the canal path and we were running again on the streets of East London. At 8pm there was barely anyone out. 

When we reached the community garden, it was already dark but it didn't stop us nor took any of our enthusiasm. We were warmly welcomed by Tanjina, Kerry and two little children. One of them, a girl around three years old, was very excited about the work we were about to do and while we were listening to the instructions she started pushing one of wheelbarrows! A three year old pushed a big and heavy wheelbarrow! 

There was a huge heap of soil waiting to be shuffled to wheelbarrows and transported to the garden boxes. We organised ourselves quickly and started to work cheerfully. Some runners got the wheelbarrows and shuffles while others were trying to figure out forking the soil and were also looking for bags and buckets to carry as much soil as possible. Soon everyone got into production line mood. Commands were heard from all over “wheelbarrow to the end”, “wheelbarrow to the middle stand and next one next to the gate”. We were moving like ants in their anthill. After few minutes the heap looked much smaller. 

Working in a of positive trance, we heard Mark shouting that 15 minutes had passed and we left with twenty five. Most of us sped up. Countdown had continued - 10, 5 minutes and finally one last one. We felt like at an exam - when you left with one last minute and try to write as much as you know. Finally, the time ended. Last buckets and wheelbarrows were filled and shuffles put aside. Everyone breathed with a relief but most of all with joy, because again they did something good. They made a difference.

We left with one last group picture to be taken, words of thank you from Tanjina and Kerry and it was time to go back. Few people decided they would come back after few days to finish the work. We've been given water, juice and biscuits. It helped to regenerate before the run back. 

The next morning I woke up with hands sore with pain from shuffling kilograms of soil. It reminded me how well we did as a team. Mark sent an email with blog post and statistics of the challenge. Total time: 120 min, total distance: 7.2km, average speed: 8.6 km/hr, total calories burnt: 1017. Level of positive energy increased by 100 per cent.