Get uncomfortable

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” was JFKs prompting to the American people during his inaugural address in 1961.  Now, a half a century later it is a way of thinking that has gone out of style. We’ve hit a bit of a snag when it comes to having a national movement with individuals serving others and passionate about bettering both country and people. So much of our culture weighs appearance and material possession over character and sacrifice. With this compromise we’ve lost so much depth and direction. It’s sad.

Complacency has been exchanged for passion. Our culture has become comfortable being comfortable creating barriers in the ability to see past ourselves, our own needs and wants. It’s a bubble wrap lifestyle that’s deflated of authentic joy. Blah. Life is too short to be consistently comfortable. There’s something pretty fantastic about assuming the risk of stepping outside of yourself and crossing the line from complacently comfortable to a shaken and stirred, out of the box mover and shaker. There are a billion ways to give of yourself, to bring a smile to another person in the world and add joy that will surpass your comprehension. It starts with one step, opening your eyes.

One of the coolest experiences is watching the wheels churn in a young person when they have to make the conscious choice as to whether they choose the path of comfort or take a risk and go beyond themselves. If and when that choice occurs there is a ripple effect. It impacts how they look at life, their attitude and, eventually,  it trickles into all facets of their life. But we have to stoke the fire for this generation providing opportunities as well as encouraging a vision that isn’t innate.

Last week I trekked into Philly with a bunch of kids who etched a day out of their summer to schlep into the city on a really hot day to hand out bag lunches and clothes to those less fortunate.  They had nothing to gain. Each of them took the step allowing themselves to be uncomfortable. Those they served sometimes looked a little different or maybe had an odor. It was awkward for some handing out lunches to someone they knew didn’t have a place to sleep that night. It was uncomfortable helping the lady who was missing teeth rifle through clothing for her husband who had lost his job and now they were living at a shelter. But the beauty of it is that the lessons from that afternoon will resonate with these kids. Their hands, their feet made a difference in the lives of others and it didn’t take a whole lot of effort. It just took being willing to be a little uncomfortable.

We don’t all have to hit the streets of our local cities. That isn’t in the cards for some of us. It might be going through your cupboards and donating a bag full of groceries to your local food pantry. It could be volunteering a few hours a month at a women’s shelter or participating in a 5k that raises awareness for CF or MS. The opportunities to serve, contribute are endless and they don’t have to require you pulling out your checkbook. Sometimes utilizing your time and heart can go a whole lot farther and take more effort than a monetary donation.

As we were returning to our cars empty handed last Friday in Philly, my feet were a little sore and I my shirt was damp from sweat. As we crossed the Ben Franklin Parkway the group of kids I was walking with were already chatting about what we needed to bring with us the next time we rolled into town. They were stoked and watching their eyes flicker with the contagious state of ‘goodness’ made my week. The truth is that serving, giving and compassion isn’t a one time thing. The ultimate goal is to allow it to become a lifestyle and when that happens, man, you get a whole new vision for life and those around you.