8 Petite Possibilities
I need help!! Such a plea has not been directed to me personally during these dark times. I am not an “essential worker.” I simply do my part by “SIP-ing” as one of my sister-in-laws puts it. If you are trying to avoid 24/7 media as I am, you may need a hint that SIP-ing is “sheltering-in-place.”
Like most of you, I have some direct and indirect relationships with those who are either essential workers, or who have been infected. Adult daughters of 3 friends are sick, one a NY health care worker, one in CA just back from travel, and another extremely ill. A neighbor’s son (an EMT) has the virus; a cousin on the east coast is hopefully recovering. A friend in Vermont is an essential worker providing food in the local country store, and her husband drives for UPS. Another close NY friend is a nurse and he’s ‘stationed’ in the southern part of the state, while a valued relative (coming up on middle age) is working in a Carolina Covid-19 ICU. The stories are ubiquitous. With any luck, yours are not dreadfully painful.
On the other hand, I have a relative (perhaps two) who thinks it’s all “overblown,” not exactly a hoax, but worried that the “cure could be worse than the disease.” Another mentioned the notion that having seen the cleanliness of a cruise ship thinks they are probably the best place to be right now. Just wanted to share that friends and family come in all stripes. Of course, we know this from annual holiday table dramas. [Full-disclosure, I don’t live close enough for annual family celebrations. That fact may sometimes be a comfort. Not now.]
Back to people needing help. This brings me to volunteering. April is Volunteer month. Earlier this year when thinking ahead to different posts, I had planned a piece for April on all the benefits attained from volunteering. But life has taken a ‘novel’ turn that few (maybe none) of us were prepared to face.
I considered how to address volunteering now, especially when one of its greatest returns-on-investment, namely socialization, is currently (to understate it) limited. Furthermore, those in their second 50 years phase, or with the infamous underlying conditions, have to be extra careful. Could there still be payback for those people, in these times? I believe the answer is YES (even now). There are paybacks through activities still safe for you.
Continued Payback from Volunteerism
Sanity Structure. If there was ever a time when we needed a reason to get out of bed (and not just tune into CNN via the remote), this is it. We need to keep some structure to our days and weeks. [Let’s skip months for now.] Like my husband, you may actually be experiencing MORE work or chores than usual. But if not, some daily structure (including volunteering) will help avoid cabin-fever.
Mood Booster. I want to feel productive, or useful and appreciated. Nothing wrong with continuing this attitude in times of forced (or voluntary) isolation. Lifting your mood helps deal with life disruption a bit more easily; perhaps not effortlessly, but at least more calmly.
Mind Booster. We grasp the concept that the brain needs as much exercise as the body. We don’t get that mind workout from staring at (as my dad used to call it) the “boob tube” the entire day. Writing this blog was mind-bodybuilding in isometric form for me (meaning there was tension but little movement seen). I wanted to offer a few suggestions for people to currently consider (and I do below) but realized it was quite the puzzle. I would rather have taken a nap, but pushed on to force some gray-cells to activate.
Sharing and Strengthening Skills for Online Contact. This too is a benefit. I own the fact that I am not a huge fan of social media. “No time for it” is my usual thought. However, these days of home-containment have taught us that we are lucky to have digital communication. Online skills may be more vital than we knew. Whether it is video-chatting with old friends (recently had one with New Zealand pals), or neighbors you can’t see personally, or just up-ing your Facebook profile (total distaste for me), it does demonstrate that isolation is intensified when we have none of these skills. Further, organizations can be more productive – especially now – if you have these abilities to work with them.
[An hour or two of focused self-learning can make you feel at least minimally competent. Many of these social sites (like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) or video chat services (like Skype, RingCentral or Zoom) have explanations for “how to begin.” OR you can just search on videos to show you the basics. BTW, basic versions are often free.]
Fighting Loneliness. Solitude can be glorious. Loneliness never is. More than ever those who live alone may need extra consideration. Whether taking the online route above, or the good ol’ phone, volunteering in the form of outreach may combat ennui or doldrums for someone you care above. And it goes both ways. Reaching out to check on someone else may halt your own escalating loneliness.
Giving Back. Not everyone is an essential worker, but all of us can be essential – “giving back” in our unique way. Finding what is right for you will offer you some degree of greater fulfillment. And fulfillment is an ESSENTIAL key to Aging with Pizzazz.
Different Kinds of Volunteering in Difficult Times – Examples to Draw From
As I admitted above, virus-time volunteer examples seemed difficult to contemplate. Not for myself, as I have personal work from home and I work with organizations that I continue to connect with throughout these times. Instead, it’s difficult to offer general ideas that run the gamut of skills, willingness, ability or finances. I suspect that any of you reading this could provide more examples. Yet, here are a few.
Phone Calls. Call a friend not normally on your radar to say they are in your thoughts. Or call a regular friend and encourage them to get exercise or movement. If you belong to an organization, call some of the older members to express your concern for them. Or call new members who may not yet feel part of the group. It will make them sense that later they will be an important, welcomed member. [According to volunteerhub.com, 71% of volunteers work with only one organization, so it’s easy to concentrate your energies.]
Donations. This is an easy idea, but with difficult logistics at this point. Decisions to help where it is most needed, and avoid frauds, can be tricky. Need is obvious, but as in many disasters, ‘giving’ in a way that counts is not always as apparent. The local food bank? Hospitals? Personal protective equipment or gear (if you are sure you are contributing to non-fraudulent companies)? Your local newspaper or public radio station that keeps everyone up to date? Grocery stores with food donation plans? Gift coupons from local businesses to keep them solvent until their doors open again? The options are limitless, the funds not necessarily so.
Salute Those who Serve. Again, there are myriad ways. Thanking those who bag your groceries, writing notes to teachers who have found a way to keep up instructions, and the possibilities go on. Around the world, I found one ‘salute’ both brave and touching. In their own neighborhoods (while isolated) people are starting night-time salutes, for instance, every evening at 6 or 7:00 pm for one minute. They go outdoors, or lean from their windows, perhaps display a special sign, but shout and bang pots and pans to say thank you to health care workers. Some have kept it up night after night until finally others started to join them. It may feel awkward, but it’s brave and the love and appreciation is felt.
Grocery Delivery. You may be able to help less-able neighbors get their groceries. Through a local organization, my friend Bonnie has offered to help. “I might not be able to do a lot but I can still drive,” she said. The method is simple, drive to the grocery store where they deliver bags to your car (not your hands). You then bring them to the front door of a shut-in (without physical contact). You might then knock or phone/email to say the groceries are delivered. A smile and wave from far-off is another nice human ‘touch.’
Along these lines is a cash donation to food banks that may be painfully stretched and stressed. “Hiding in plain sight” is often the description of a hungry community member. The face of hunger is not always a young frown, but can be a wrinkled smile of a neighbor.
Mask with a Message. Sew a face-mask with a message – and give a few away. On a site for the League of Women Voters, I saw a member wearing a face mask that had “vote” embroidered on it. I immediately thought “oooh, I want one.” But they weren’t selling them. My husband wants one that says “Stay Positive Dude.” [See why at Be Kind post.] There are many messages that could be shared. Of course, wearing these masks around friends or others is another thoughtful act.
Social Shout-Outs for Shut-ins. If you are on social media sites, like Facebook or Twitter, mention those folks doing good in the world. As is discussed often lately “small acts of kindness” may be those that touch us the most. (Celebrities and politicians already get enough attention.) Sharing small acts by common people can truly be more inspirational in creating emulation.
Share your Music. Whether out your window, on your porch, in your yard, or online, share your live music. Or selectively send good videos or emails to friends. [I love the one pasted in below by the Breath Harmony NHS choir from the UK – “Anytime You Need a Friend.”] And haven’t we all (secretly?) enjoyed much of the dark humor of late?
Crossing cheapest levitra prices these boundaries may not benefit you in many ways and it will help you take pounds off and keep them off – but it may not work at all the first occasion when they took it, and it worked reliably about whether. You can also use Mast Mood oil along with taking the capsules, the results are pharmacy store here levitra no prescription quicker. All you need to do is chew and swallow the pill 30 minutes before lovemaking. cialis soft 20mg This inhibition process causes smooth muscle relaxation of the prostate gland and the bladder. cheap viagra here
Stay in Touch. SO IMPORTANT. At least once a day, task yourself with contacting someone, for any reason, just to demonstrate life goes forward.
— FINAL THOUGHT —
Many recent Public Service Announcements in the past couple months have reminded us “We are in this together.” Volunteering in either a big – or small – way lets others feel that it is indeed true.
Stay well,
drb
Credits:
Coffee cup: Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash [“It’s just the small things, but maybe it’s all small things. This cup is from Best Made.”]
Volunteer sign: Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
Women’s strength: Image by Hilary Clark from Pixabay
YouTube: Breathe harmony NHS (National Health Service)choir from UK. Performs “Anytime you Need a Friend. https://youtu.be/_mpT2vJgzp0
