Army of One, Please Tell Me

[Binky Bainbridge]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

There are many measures of success...but you never see a headline "MAN RAISES SUCCESSFUL FAMILY"....or "MAN WORKS FOR COMPANY 20 YEARS"..nope...all you see is how much people make.

That's precisely what I mean, people seem to have lost the real values of life in the pursuit of material wealth. Yes, money is important, but it takes over some peoples lives to such an extent that they lose sight of really matters in life.
I am comfortably well off and have no need to worry about my future well-being but that doesn't stop me trying to help those less fortunate, in fact I see that as my duty. I see life as us helping each other, not trying to tread over people in the rush for material gain.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Binky Bainbridge

I am comfortably well off and have no need to worry about my future well-being but that doesn't stop me trying to help those less fortunate, in fact I see that as my duty. I see life as us helping each other, not trying to tread over people in the rush for material gain.

There are many, many ways of helping people.....material help isn't usually the best help you can give. Material help is short term and can be squandered.

[Binky Bainbridge]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

There are many, many ways of helping people.....material help isn't usually the best help you can give. Material help is short term and can be squandered.

So please tell me what you do Army?

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Binky Bainbridge

So please tell me what you do Army?

What do I do about what?

[K C Muffin]

As much of a bleeding heart as I am, I don't like the current welfare system - it tends to breed laziness and waste. I also am not sure that giving to the United Way or a lot of other charities is the way to be charitable.

I've come to feel that the best charitable act is to give willingly and graciously of what I have - be it money, be it time or be it earthly possessions to someone more in need of it than I. As far as the Thanksgiving drive goes, I am more than happy to put in my donation because I know Tee and his gang make so much more of it than my pitiful amount ever could by itself.

Anyway, that's what I do about it.

[Justoo]

Like Muffy, my charity is mostly opportunistic. I will help someone when I see a need. Sometimes it is physical help, sometimes it is teaching. When offered payment I suggest they pay me by helping someone else later.
In the last 6 months I have donated considerably more than 120 hours of my time on one project for one of my favorite organizations. Not to mention the ink and paper that was never asked to be reimbursed.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Binky Bainbridge

So please tell me what you do Army?

Whatever I can and whenever I can. I work a lot of hours so I don't have the time I would like to help people. ONce I retire I would like to have a job that helps people.

I know I'm going to get beat up for this but I feel that just "giving some people money" is usually a short term fix and just adds to the symptom of the problem. To me if you want to help others, help them make a lifestyle change or do something that will help them permanently. I believe in the "teach a man to fish" as opposed to "feed a man a fish". I'm sure a lot of you disagree with that. I've given people money in the past and felt like it was wasted.

I have volunteered my time in many ways over the years to help people. WHen I was in Oklahoma I helped with the Regional special olympics for 6 straight years. I worked with the salvation Army, have dones HOURS upon HOURS of work with the local high schools, I volunteer to judge debate, forensic tourney's, etc. If I had more time I would be much more involved. I believe in helping people that are trying to make it. I was brought up that way....but there is a difference between helping and just giving.

[SGT T.]

The fact that Ao1 finds any time to do anything besides eat, sleep, and work is just insane. That guy is a machine, and thats why he makes the big bucks. At least, bigger than me.

[K C Muffin]

Originally Posted by SGT T.

The fact that Ao1 finds any time to do anything besides eat, sleep, and work is just insane. That guy is a machine, and thats why he makes the big bucks. At least, bigger than me.

A machine??

Do tell!

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by SGT T.

The fact that Ao1 finds any time to do anything besides eat, sleep, and work is just insane. That guy is a machine, and thats why he makes the big bucks. At least, bigger than me.

Don't forget to try and squeeze time with the family in there also. (and an occassional game of "guitar hero"....)