Week 194

Positive post Sunday, November 8, 2020…. Week 194. 

I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Southern California (GWS) where we work collaboratively within the communities we serve to Transform Lives Through The Power Of Work.  The need for the services we provide for those in need of a hand up (not hand out) is even more amplified as we continue to navigate through the pandemic.  

I couldn’t be prouder to help guide an organization that selflessly helps our fellow human beings with challenges find purpose, self-worth and confidence by offering them employment and training where quite frankly others would not take the risk.  The results speak for themselves.  There are countless success stories of GWS employees and trainees transitioning to the mainstream workforce with passion, commitment and a work ethic that is amazing.

Although we as Board members offer our expertise and guidance on governing, there is no doubt that I GET more from my service than I GIVE.  Let me explain.  At every Board meeting and event, we hear from employees or members of our community who have been served by GWS, or as I like to say, saved by GWS.  The stories of fellow human beings with very challenging backgrounds whose lives have literally been transformed are countless, inspiring and in many cases truly miraculous.  I have personally seen God’s work through human hands and minds at work.

Let me share just one of many examples that is the focus of my PPS today and that, although seemingly simple, profoundly touched my life.  I’d been thinking about writing this one for a long time and now, as we transition from Halloween and look forward to Thanksgiving, is the perfect timing.  

As I noted above, at every event, we have the honor of hearing from GWS employees or members of our community who have been served by GWS.  Well, just over a year ago, on September 23, 2019 to be exact, at a fundraising dinner, we heard from a benefactor of GWS services, AG.  AG provided us a moving, inspirational and uplifting account of his journey and the life transforming support he received from the team at GWS.  Without going into details and respecting his privacy, AG made a statement that will always be engrained in my mind.  He said, “My past does not determine my future”.  This may be one of those times when we say, you needed to be there to FEEL the impact, but AG’s overall story and statement moved me enough to actually type it into my phone when he said it and then write about it a year later. 

As we put away all our Halloween costumes and decorations (although still eating the candy!), I’m reminded that we all have skeletons in our closets.  We all have things in our past that we are less proud of than others or that have had a negative influence on our lives but, although we should respect our past and learn from it, as AG noted we should not dwell on it and lean into the future with hope, promise and positivity.  And might I add, with prayer and the guidance of the Lord who has a plan for all of us.  

As we move into the Thanksgiving season, I’m reminded of how thankful I am for the life changing work all the leadership and staff at GWS do each and every day.  AG’s story is just one of many testimonies that highlight their hard work, dedication and commitment to serve those in need in our communities, especially during these continued unprecedented times.  Their reward will come from a much higher power than this extremely appreciative Board member here on earth.  And AG, your story has had a positive impact on so many people, many of whom you will never meet.  I’m thankful and grateful that you have not only taught us, but by your personal growth, shown us how to respect our past and push on to a productive and prosperous future.          

In what ways have you served those in need?

How have you learned and grown from the skeletons in your closet?