Paying it Forward: All on the same side #110
Social or gregarious, each of us may lose perspective in the struggle of daily life. We do have the power of will to inspire us. Dream, find your community or move on; do and make a difference.
Jack Browne, April 6, 2025 Times Record News
Sometimes you feel alone. Some chose this type of time for reflection, others can be uncomfortable, even anxious. Most of us are social, a few gregarious.
When busy juggling daily hurdles, one may lose perspective of the power we always have.
Consider the following twelve thoughts:
1. All on the same side
2. A rising tide raises all boats
3. Average of the five people you hang out with,
4. Don’t be the nail that sticks up,
5. Fall down seven times get up eight,
6. Go early, stay late, help people,
7. If it's too good to be true,
8. Leave things better than when you received them,
9. Many hands make work easy,
10. Only easy day was yesterday,
11. Put on your big boy pants and deal with it,
12. Things are always changing,
I’ll bet everyone has real examples that include some of these phrases. The common thread is the impact that we have on each other. And with the power of others — whether we join or lead — together amazing things get done.
And when turned inside out, people without a community don’t have very much power, influence or control over the events around themselves.
Communities are self-organizing around the values, relationships and character of their group. One’s relationship with the community and within the community can be uncomfortable if your needs aren’t being met. If so, is it you or them?
Common values strengthen relationships. Seek people and causes that make you comfortable. Visit and then decide to engage, or move on in search of your best community. A friend wisely shared that in-depth substantial commitment of time and talent are best managed as three years and done; I learned that the hard way as well.
But don’t withdraw or get lost “down the rabbit-hole” like Alice in Wonderland seeking that which is never found.
Engage, serve meals at Faith Mission, deliver meals at Meals on Wheels, pack food at the Food Bank or an Area Food Pantry. Clean up your neighborhood, like those volunteers making an ongoing difference with ongoing volunteer work on the Eastside.
Volunteer with a child, by reading, being big brother/sister, coaching and mentoring. Help nonprofits with their mission or even help them make their dreams possible with your secret skills and knowledge.
Each of us has the ability to make immense impact, with the right person, at the right time and in our own way.
We’re all on the same side. Aren’t we?
Jack Browne is a community activist and past technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola, MIPS Technologies and other companies. How are the children doing?