Long Road of Gratitude
It’s not lost on me how lucky I am in so many ways. Riding the Vespa scooter through the central Pennsylvania landscape provides a quiet space for relaxation and reflection. And in that space I’m aware that life is good. For most of it my health has been excellent. I have a supportive family and friends. A long career has given way to a comfortable retirement.
Just another day in paradise.
There have been times I’ve tried to convince myself that it’s all a result of my own planning and hard work. Without a doubt I have planned and worked hard. But the many things to be grateful for are fragile gifts and could easily have evaporated if not for some large measure of good fortune.
I’ve been thinking about this since learning of fellow scooter rider and blogger Orin O’Neill’s struggle with unfortunate economic circumstances and a need to relocate to a more affordable part of the country. He’s looking to the wider world for support through a GoFundMe campaign.
Who Am I?
GoFundMe and Kickstarter campaigns fascinate me and from time to time I explore the needs, hopes and dreams represented on those platforms. But more importantly is the giving and faith displayed to individuals.
I confess a tendency toward skepticism when it comes to giving money. And worse, a greater tendency toward indifference or blindness to the needs of others. At least in a formal setting. I’ll readily hand cash to someone on the street who asks yet hesitate when a campaign appeal shows up in my mailbox. Someone shared with me that they prefer to help people directly. Avoid the middleman. While that sounds good I understand that’s not always possible. If you want to help whales you’re going to have to trust an organization.
When I saw Orin O’Neill’s request for support and the circumstances of his situation I realized again how lucky I am. I was not a casualty of employment layoffs or company failures. I’ve had extensive support and opportunity in the workplace that has translated into economic well being. I realize how much of it was pure luck — being in the right places at the right times.
My paradise owes much to the good will of others.
Paying it Forward
The weather has tempered with the arrival of spring. A little more sunshine. Slightly warmer temperatures. And even though snow is in the weather forecast I’m happy to feel the changing of the seasons is at hand. It’s hard to pin down exactly but I feel it as I ride the Vespa. Something just feels right.
Much like providing monetary support to Orin’s campaign. It felt right to help an individual in need. Even though I only know him through his blog (he began one year after I did) and that he lives on the other side of the country, helping felt right. While some donate for tax reasons (donations to a GoFundMe campaign are not tax deductible) this felt more like a donation jar. Someone part of the community is in need and I dropped some cash in the jar.
I’m not exactly sure why this situation has jumped out for me. Perhaps it’s a wake up call to give more or give back. Perhaps it will become clearer on future rides.
If you’re interested in helping I’m sure Orin would appreciate the support. You can view his blog, Scootin’ Old Skool, if you want to get a picture of who he is. Or visit his GoFundMe Campaign to learn of his predicament and call out for support.
This current posting seems to me from a photographic aspect, different.
The photographs are brighter, with improved resolution and seem to
“jump” off of the screen.
As to the general topic. yes, you are a lucky gentleman!
However (there’s always an however) do not rest upon your laurels. There are roads to ride, writings to publish, a post surgery wife to keep close at hand, two black Belgian sheep dogs with which you could throw balls all day long, tea to drink at Saints Cafe and if that’s not enough, do this on-line blog.
BTW How did Paul Ruby’s exhibition pan out?
It’s amazing what a little sunshine will do for the spirit. And for photographs. Unfortunately we have more snow at the moment but spring gathers closer with each day.
The road ahead is full of things to do and I look forward to what develops. The dogs are insistent on my time but it’s generally a joy to accommodate them.
Paul’s show comes down this Saturday. It was a success by his measures. I’ll be posting a video of it at some point for those who couldn’t make it to State College.
I’ve more than a healthy skepticism towards large charities, their credibility and whether the monies they gather actually go toward their state goals….why then are their CEOs and staff paid such large salaries one wonders?
Sounds like you’re getting in the groove re retirement. Remember, every day is Saturday!
Charities have changed I suppose and so has their compensation models. When your focus is fundraising they now reach out into the world for the best. No longer are their leaders from the grassroots of the charitable functions but instead gathered from industry, business, finance, development and other places where salaries are competitive. So if you’re going to ask someone to raise $50 million they might demand $1 million in return. But even so, at times I wonder if the costs related to marketing, advertising and compensation are out of line. Mostly though, I try to focus on the giving and treat it like I would giving a gift to anyone and not focus on how they use it. Naive probably…
Everyday is indeed Saturday. I’m a retirement newbie still. Learning to not waste so much time…
I also reflect from time-to-time on how blessed I’ve been regarding mental/physical health, the opportunities to use both, and a comfortable standard of living – now into my mid-60’s. But I have also been a long-time proponent of living within one’s means, however that changes over a lifetime. I also hesitate to jump into giving resources unless I personally know the recipients or they have been vetted by an agency I trust, so I usually stay away from crowd-sourced funding sites. I do like to help out fellow riders, friends, or relatives with all sorts of mechanical advice when I think it will actually be followed, but shy away from those who I perceive to be looking for someone else to be their “free labor/help”.
It can be a tough balancing act.
Everyone has a different way of deciding if and how to give support to others. There is no right way. I have many of the same concerns as you do. I suppose I’m also concerned that it is so easy for me to be oblivious to the struggles of others and just sort of find myself in a place of not helping because of my own distractions. Every once in awhile then something gives me a little slap, like Orin’s appeal, and I find myself thinking I haven’t helped anyone lately.
As you say, a tough balancing act. But worth the time to do the balancing.
As I often say,
“The past is history,
the future’s a mystery,
today is a GIFT,
that’s why they call it
the present!”
Indeed. But so hard to stay in the present!
C’est tous les jours le paradis quand on est sur la vespa, et que l’on prend du temps au temps.
L’histoire d’Orin O’Neill m’a ému mais je n’ai pas confiance en internet car je me suis fait volé une fois.
Si je pouvais l’aider, d’une façon plus directe, je le ferais comme lui envoyer un billet de banque par la poste mais je n’ai pas son adresse…
it’s paradise every day when you’re on the vespa, and it takes time.
The story of Orin O’Neill moved me but I do not trust the internet because I got robbed once.
If I could help him, in a more direct way, I would do it like sending him a bank note in the mail but I do not have his address …
Laurent de France.
The Vespa seems a key to paradise. And my key is getting worn.
The internet certainly has opportunities to be robbed. I try and be careful but as one expert told me, there’s no way to be entirely safe from being robbed on the internet — even if you don’t use it! That had me scratching my head for awhile…
That’s awesome. Clear skies, long open roads, and a beautiful Vespa. A perfect day to ride and It gives you lots of time to think.
My best thinking is done during a ride!