There’s Room For Us All In This Work

No matter what your talents are, no matter where your interests lie, you can make a contribution to the world.

Some time ago I accompanied a group of Public Health students on a community service trip to a local food bank.

Their task was to work together as a team to prepare packages of donated food that would be sent to families in the community. After being given a brief set of instructions, the students began going about their work.

It was really something watching them work. Some made the boxes that the food was to be placed in, others checked the dates on the boxed and canned items for freshness and expiration, while some packed the food into the boxes, organized the finished packages to be loaded on the delivery truck, and a variety of other activities in between.

At times, students made adjustments to what they were doing when they finished a task or realized that something that was taking place was counter to the mission. By the time they were done, the students had packaged hundreds of pounds of food for families who needed it.

Together, they assessed the resources that were available to them, and each person situated themselves in a position where they could contribute to the larger, shared goal.

Watching them work together was another reminder that there’s room at the table for everyone to make a contribution. There’s enough room for everyone to use themselves in ways that they can best contribute to improving the world around them.

Some may find that they can best use themselves in the field of education, while others may find it in the culinary arts. Some may find it in Social Work or another helping profession, while others may find it in carpentry, performing arts, writing, or some other area.

There are many paths that lead to the same destination. There are many ways we can take part in making the world a better place.

No matter what your talents are, no matter where your passions lie, there’s a place for you to do what makes you come alive.

Because everybody can be great.

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones, MSW, LLMSW

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