Blog Posts

August 1, 2017

There's an ad that runs on PBS for a river cruise company. It features the company owner, Torstein Hagen in some kind of amazing glass dome as he waxes nostalgically over a roaring fire promoting his cruises. He emotes: "I've learned that time is the only scarce commodity..." In fact, Jim and I went on one of his cruises. It was not one of my better ideas. It doesn't take a genius to know that two people who'd rather work than chat up strangers will not be thrilled with the experience of being (more or less) jailed on a small vessel with 200 of them for a week...

There's an ad that runs on PBS for a river cruise company. It features the company owner, Torstein Hagen in some kind of amazing glass dome as he waxes nostalgically over a roaring fire promoting his cruises. He emotes: "I've learned that time is the only scarce commodity..."

In fact, Jim and I went on one of his cruises. It was to celebrate our 45th anniversary and not one of my better ideas. It doesn't take a genius to know that two people who'd rather work than chat up strangers will not be thrilled with the experience of being (more or less) jailed on a small vessel with 200 of them for a week.

But as I watched that ad and considered Hagen's theory, I was thinking maybe this guy isn't all advertising schtick. At least for most of us, for whom the basics like food, clothing and shelter are pretty much covered, time does rank right up there with the things we'd like to have more of.

You can't bottle or buy it. It really is precious. But if time is precious, isn't it very important for us to use it well? Do we use it to demonstrate the ideals we stand for? Or do we let others do the demonstrating for us?

UniteIndy.org has this great feature that allows ministries and caring organizations all over Indianapolis to upload the needs they have for volunteers, donations and help of all kinds. It allows each of us—as we are able—to find out what help is needed and to sign up for efforts we can take part in. It might be helping with an event or acting in a professional capacity like accounting. It could be working to get a school cleaned up for the beginning of the year, or putting in a few hours in a food pantry. All kinds of opportunities to serve are available to fit all kinds of people and abilities. But any of these jobs require the gift of time—so precious, yet so vital.

There's a movie that is one of my favorites, called "About Time" which came out in 2013. In it, the protagonist was capable of going back in time for "do-overs"—a power I know I could use now and then. But having some experience with real life, I've learned that though we can't change history we absolutely can change the future. We can love our families well, we can care for our neighbors and we can take the time to fill the needs of someone in trouble.

You and I might not get "do-overs" but our gifts of time, efforts, or funds can change the future for many right here in Indianapolis. With everyone's help, we move ever closer to establishing our city as a caring compassionate place, where neighbors matter and our friendships reach into every neighborhood. So set aside two or three hours a month to give your time to a great cause. Put some bucks you might spend on your latte every week and send them to a food bank. Pick something.

Please go to UniteIndy.org and give the "Volunteer" button a push. Maybe just look it over. Eventually, you'll move from surfing to shaping some futures, and in the effort you'll be giving yourself the time of your life.

Blessings,
Nancy