Tags
building community, common ground, community, compassion, connecting, heart-to-heart, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, life, living in the moment, love, mission, passion, Purpose, Relationships, stories, vision, working together, world issues
This last week has served to remind me how much I value, and how important community is. Community, or a sense of belonging if you will, drives us to discover the things we have in common and start from there to create something beautiful together.
On Thursday night from 6:30PM to 3:30AM on Friday, I volunteered with a group of people, some of whom I’d never met, at a local casino to raise funds for Oxford House Foundation of Canada. It was only the second time I’d ever worked a volunteer shift at a casino. And oh man, staying up all night is not as easy to bounce back from as it was in my twenties! A month or two ago I worked a day shift for another wonderful organization called Fresh Start.
I gotta tell ya, both volunteer shifts were incredibly fun in that I always like learning new things and I always love meeting new people. The outstanding part of this experience for me, has got to be the fact that over the two days that a non-profit organization hosts a casino, up to 40 volunteers are needed to make it work. And they all work together, very hard I might add, to benefit a specific charity.
It really is something of great value when opportunities like this arise and one is able to take part in them!
On the following Saturday, I was invited to speak to a group of about hundred people on fundraising. Fundraising is both a science and an art, and I focused my talk on the art.
The art is all about relationships. And relationships are all about two-way communication, learning from each other and adding and gaining value from working together. In essence, it’s about building community which just happens to be my core passion!
My talk was divided into parts including: Know yourself and know others. One of the best ways to build solid relationships is to connect through stories: telling your story, learning their story and building a story together.
In other words, my story with the challenges I’ve faced and the resolutions I’ve come to have shaped who I am, what I value, what I am passionate about and why. The same is true of your story. When I know myself and I know you and what your values and passions are, we can find ways to be together for the greater good to create a better world for all of us. We are committed through our common values, passion and goals.
Now that’s like magic to me! What could possibly be more meaningful than that?
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
What is one of your favourite stories about working with a group toward a common goal? What was one of the challenges you have faced in your life that has made you who you are today? Which values did you adopt because of it? What are you passionate about?
Minuscule Moments said:
Diana I can imagine the pure energy and passion you would put out there in something like this you would be a pleasure to work along side, of that I am certain.
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dianasschwenk said:
What a sweet thing to say Kath – I try! ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
It comes through in your writing Diana. I imagine you would light up a room with your personality and compassion for others.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) You should tell that to the people in the room! 😉
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Vicki Flaherty said:
Very nice! “One of the best ways to build solid relationships is to connect through stories: telling your story, learning their story and building a story together.” Really like this…Thanks for sharing, Diana
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Vicki, thank you. ❤
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
Fantastic Diana, You are brilliant!
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dianasschwenk said:
Why thank Ute, back at ya! ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
You are marvellous!
And sacrificing those wee hours of the morning is indeed a huge contribution.
Great stuff Diana! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
There is wonderful blessings in giving Diana. You are a beautiful big hearted giver who indeed makes a difference in this world. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Karen, that describes you well too! ❤
Diana xo
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thatssojacob said:
That’s why I have loved and committed myself to theatre – it creates and inspires community and connection. Come visit my blog soon!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes I bet theatre is a great way to inspire community – all that creativity! ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
WOW! Diana, you are such an amazing soul! I love the stories that come from your eagerness to help others. I think one of my most fulfilling hand-on volunteer moments was at our local soup kitchen a few years ago. Now, in the job I’m in, I work in a less hands-on approach, as I’m currently organizing a fund raiser to benefit the bereavement fund of our children’s hospital to help families with final expenses when a child passes. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
What a worthy endeavor Rachel, I wish you much success! ❤
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
YOU are the magic!
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dianasschwenk said:
We’re the magic together Julie! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Thank you Diana. The experience of new things, and the experience of helping others, put together make for incredible life moments.
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dianasschwenk said:
Incredible moments are the best Colleen! ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
I had to reread– 3:30 am.. goodness. Glad it was fun and good for you. I’m tired just thinking about it. I love working on political campaigns, particularly local ones where every single vote really counts. I’m happy being on a phone bank and making calls, getting people to their polling places. But not all night!
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh Lisa I bet that if something that really mattered to you was happening at 3:30AM, you’d be there – maybe in PJs – but you’d be there. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana,
No better time spent than serving others. Charity is one of the greatest virtues. It lifts the burden from so many shoulders, and when done in a group affords all a fun and memorable experience. In giving we receive.
Great job, Diana!
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Well said Alan and thank you for your kind words! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Diana, you are a wonder. We can all learn by taking a page from your book — even an introvert like me! 🙂 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I think, ms. introvert, that you and I would have such a blast together! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Of that I have no doubt! 💕
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susielindau said:
You are amazing and a great role model for all of us. Way to go, girl!
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww sweet of you to say Susie. ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
Oh, you have surely found the magic.☺ And, I could write a few posts about all of your questions. One step at a time. 💕
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh and if you do, I will read every one Van! ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
Wow! What a fabulous post — and amazing story.
Thanks diana. As always — you inspire me!
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dianasschwenk said:
I knew you’d be all over that like white on rice Louise! You inspire me too. ❤
Diana xo
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