There are all sorts of statistics that show I am in the top percentage in the world for having stuff I need for a pleasant existence.  I have a roof over my head, food on the table, security, a government that holds close to the ideals I have and allows me freedom.
I am incredibly grateful for what I have.  I do not take it for granted and know it could all disappear in an instance. (In Ukraine they went to the soccer one night and were at war the next day.  In LA they went to bed having beautiful homes and 24 hours later they were homeless.)
So I realize that and as someone said to me that gave me a stamp collection “hold them loosely.”  If the truth be known what I have I work for and do all I know to do, but it does not alter the fact that it could all be gone in an instant.
Having said that I know that all of us need a hand at times.  I do not want my resources to be squandered.  In helping others unwisely, I could so easily become someone who has nothing and needs assistance.  While helpful my help could end up being but a tiny blip in the overall need. It reminds me of “give a man a fish and feed him for a day or teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”
But I saw this morning that it is not as complicated as I can make it.  Everyday I come across strangers that just want someone to take an interest in them.  In some ways that is probably more the case than it has ever been.  They say this generation is the most disconnected ever (despite appearing to be the most connected ever).  Tools to connect have never been more prolific.  Actual connections have never been scarcer.
Volunteering at a Market has enabled me to see that more and more there are middle class poor.  I’m fighting a loosing battle saying we don’t take cloths but when we put them on the table as freebies, that proves to be an incredibly popular table.  One girl tried something on and loved that they could wear something really nice another did not need as they had so many.  After getting his mum's ok, we gave away a football to a kid and it was like his most precious possession.
The bottom line for me is that I do not need to be monetarily rich to help another.  I just need to be rich in caring.  People want someone to talk to and need to know others care.  Helping is really something everyone can do.  I need it.  You need it.  I have found there is no faster way to get it than to give it.

I have a confession to make.  I’m not good at everything.
Oh I reckon I would make a good TA or Tradesman’s Assistant.  I am great at keeping a site tidy and providing what is needed when needed.  I am very aware of potential danger and clear the deck so it does not come into play.  And when it is needed, I ensure a safe process is followed.
That does not mean that things never go wrong.  Two instances spring immediately to mind.  Something I set up was unknowingly inadequate.  Another was the work of someone else that I inherited that impacted negatively on another (fortunately the implications were not dire)
But having said that, I reckon recognising my weaknesses and being able to ask for help is a good thing.  It can be embarrassing to acknowledge inadequacy.  Guys in particular seem to like to give the impression that nothing is impossible to them.   I think that can be true as long as it is recognised that something may be impossible for one but for the right team it is not.
There are things I know I am good at and things I know I am terrible at.  Yesterday was a good example for me.  Emptying the baptismal font.  I knew I could do it, but it was going to take probably several hours to do.  Someone contacted me to advise they had equipment that would make the job much quicker.  I availed myself of that help.  Sure enough the job was over way quicker than I had anticipated.  I was able to do other things that needed doing earlier that anticipated.
The same person showed me something else.  I mentioned yesterday a heater not having a plug attached.  Apparently, they had just wired up their whole place (they are building an independent cabin) and had an electrician check everything.  The electrician said there was nothing that had to be done that was not done in a safe and sustainable way.
I need an electrician.  It is not a strength of mine and I have no desire to go there.  The important thing for me is I know where to get the help I need.
That to me is the bottom line of every task I take on.  A certain amount I can do.  For what I can’t do I get the help I need and the job gets done. 
To me that is what teamwork is all about.  Using strengths and making up for weaknesses.  A team is like life without limits.

Well yesterday was a day.  Bit of a potpourri day really.  Had a bit of everything.
Merril is making up 9 bags.  Stuff is going in them from her dad to be given to those he wanted them to go to.  The work is intricate and involves getting material, cutting and sewing.  The sort of thing that requires undisturbed concentration. 
I know when I have a task that requires my full attention it is better no one talks to me.  It is not I am anti-social, but it is not the time or place to engage me in deep and meaningful conversation.  I love having them - just not at that time.
So Merril was doing that.  I have been getting stuff together for a baptism we are involved in.  It meant finding a pool (the previous one had a leak) and anything else needed.  That meant something to blow it up.  Something to get water into the pool.
I wanted to check all worked as it should.  It had not helped that we had bought a heater online cheaper than other places and I found out one of the reasons.  It came with three wires exposed which I was supposed to put an electric plug on.  Reminds me of seeing a cartoon that claimed to show a “book maker”, and it showed just a log and axe.  For sure when something is in its raw state and essential stuff is not done it is cheaper.
Anyway seeing that had been a rude shock.  Merril came and gave me a hand.  We had what was needed and had seen it worked.  I got all the stuff together and put it in the car.
We then drove to where it was going, and operation “baptismal font” started.  It all went well and has water added and is ready to go.  I realized in the evening that the pool was probably overfull, and people were going to be in it.  So this morning we are heading to the place early to take out some water.
Once it was set up, we went for lunch.  Then we came home.  Merril continued to make bags and I loitered.  I asked if there was anything I could do but thankfully for me there was nothing.  It was intricate work not for a novice. 
So it was a good day.  I admit I will be glad when my part is over, and it has worked.  It is one I will put up to experience knowing in the future I have been there and done that.  But that is the future.  This is now.