Here to Help

I am not one to declare we had it all together back when I was growing up.  We did not.  There were things I liked, but I know there were things we did not do well too.  The same goes for this generation.
My thoughts go to something I do not consider is done well today as a result of something someone said to me yesterday.  I have heard the same thing from another source and experienced it myself.
Volunteering is not what it used to be.  A while back Merril and I attended a seminar with multiple speakers about volunteering.  A graph showed the decline over the years in volunteers.  Mostly it is the older people that will volunteer, while most (not all) of the younger generation are disinclined to do so.
While volunteers have always been needed, it seems they are needed more today than ever.  I was really glad for the “Volunteer Army” that emerged on a couple of occasions here, and for the council playing its part by providing buses.  Governments it seems need to provide, but the pot is finite and the needs and their costs are growing. Some things require professional help.  Others require people that have “been there, done that” or a listening helpful ear.
To me it is all coming back to us helping each other.  After my operation I was using a mobile walker.  I remember one of my neighbours who I have had very little to do with, saying if ever I needed anything to just ask.  While I know that is easy to say and more often than not the offer is declined, it highlights to me how we are there for each other.  We rescued them from a situation one time.  Another neighbour had cooked more than needed and offered it to us.  One time we were in a position to receive and another time not.  Another time Merril declared she was ready to cry with happiness when she saw that same neighbour mowing our verge.
The point for me is it seems less and less we can depend on governments to help us out.  There seems to be more and more call for us to help each other out.
That to me is volunteering.  Organizations always have, and always will, need volunteers, and I think it is incumbent for all generations to help.  At the moment less and less are doing more and more.  But it never ceases to amaze me how the more doing a task, the easier it is.
Merril and I voluntarily clean of a Saturday.  Two others volunteered to help.  What once took several hours take an hour max now.  We all have our tasks which we do, and an hour means we can improve on what is necessary.
The point for me is the more willing to help the less time is required.  Rather than one deciding it is all too much, there are multiple benefits in doing things together.  Not only does the job get done but the comradery is irreplaceable.  Often gone is the “all or nothing” and “this is all too hard” mentality.  When done together it is like “this is not so bad.”
I guess that is not surprising.  Using only one vehicle sees it driven into the ground but 10 vehicles extends its life big time.
I am a great believer in I’ve got to start somewhere.  Structure or no structure, once I determine something is for me, I try to dismiss all other voices, and just do it.  Fortunately, like attracts like.