It has been my privilege to attend a couple other Rotary clubs via Zoom this past week. I was especially impressed by the inspirational moment presented by Geri Appel at the Downtown Rotary meeting. With her permission I would like to share that with all of you, and I quote.
“As we enter our 2nd month of a pandemic – or it is 3? – we are privileged to once again be together for our weekly meeting. But we know our world is changed and a new normal awaits.
We look around and see so many in need – and we yearn to help, but also to return to “the way it was,” knowing it won’t happen. Let’s be cognizant, though, of changes taking place around and within us.
I was recently was inspired by a YouTube video titled “Hindsight 2020 – The Great Realization.” And this Moment of Inspiration is partially based on it.
For a brief moment, we’ve seen
A Cleaner world
Changed Priorities
Kindness all around us
Gratitude
Empathy
Tolerance
All while we felt
Sadness
Fear
Boredom & Ennui
Grief
As Rotarians, let us know that how we used our time, treasure and talent to make our world a better place during our “alone time” mattered – and – that while our priorities and sense of gratitude should be forever changed, we will continue to make a difference in our community and strive to be a shining light and positive force for that new normal that is right now.”
Geri, thank you for your thoughts. So, as we look forward to another week of the unusual, let us remember to live by the Rotary motto of the things we think, say, and do.
Let me close with this Thought for the Day:
“Sometimes in the winds of change, we find our greatest direction.” -- Anonymous
Stay safe, be well. Hope to see you soon.
Vern Klassen
In July 1991, at our club’s annual Community Service Committee meeting, the idea was generated to set up a bucket at our weekly club meetings for the collection of toiletry items obtained by members from hotel rooms as they travel. These articles would then be periodically donated for use by the needy. Roger Bowles, who volunteered to coordinate this project, contacted Jerry Wingert at the United Methodist Urban Ministries, who said they would be happy to accept these items. Within a few weeks, Roger had collected a sack full of toiletry items donated by our members to take to the United Methodist Urban Ministries. (In 2007, their name was changed to United Methodist Open Door)