There have been few times in my life that I can undoubtedly pinpoint that there was/is another force...a higher force...working. Some call it God, some call it the Universe, some call it coincidence... But, I would not chalk James up to coincidence.
We were finishing up a tour of our local SWVA 2nd Harvest Food Bank and were lingering in the Salvage Dept. This is where, amazingly enough, 1 Million pounds of food – not regular food mind you..dented cans, crushed boxes of cereal, etc...that the Stores won't sell - filters to area Rescue Missions, Shelters, & Churches to give to our neighbors on the streets. It was here that we met James. The short, stocky, black/brown/”darker than I am” male about 20yrs my Senior walks up in his sweat suit to greet us. Immediately, we could feel his enthusiasm... He started sharing the stories of his volunteers, showing us pictures of them on his wall, thousands every year...
It's not often that we meet people that actually have a love for their job is it? These people would do their work for free – no paycheck, if they could survive. James looked at us with his gleaming eyes & extended hand saying... “I know you'll be back. I can tell by that smile on your face that something's pulling you back – that God's working in you.”
As we were leaving he said something profound...something that maybe only I was dialed in to - because I needed it. James said “You have to have Passion...or it's not going to work”. Those words rang so true, as if someone had prescribed them. Of course I heard/read it before...but this was different. And to think, I was on the verge of canceling on the tour...that I was going to head back to the office early...
Those closest to me know that I'm passionate, but sometimes it's great to be reminded by strangers the exact importance of that emotion. We've all been created with certain gifts, strengths, ideas, and wisdom...yet few are actually using them. Few are working daily in their “zone”. That same zone that allows us to work until 3am on projects without complaining, waking in the morning to start again feeling refreshed...because you are serving your purpose.
Are you Passionate about your work...not your job, your work? If not, maybe it's time for a little self evaluation... Picture yourself 90 yrs old looking back on your life. How do you want to remember it? Some call it Divine Intervention, some call it coincidence...nevertheless...thank you James, for salvaging more than just food today.
Until next time... - Josh
Group Invite: http://activerain.com/groups/philanthropy
@joshperrington | jperrington [at] gmail [dot] com
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