I have been doing so since 20 years ago - each year to give my time. Pro Bono as Grisham would say but I am not fighting in the court of opinion. Rather I simply give my time. To plant flower beds or clean a sidewalk; to fix a house (rather than destroy it with limited knowledge of tools) or to sort an errant computer problem or two or sit and chat with errant kids that need diserranting. Foster kids or kids with no money - things like that.
That is by far most rewarding than any job I have done in corporate America. Or any corporate for that matter. It does not pay but that is not expected. The joys of sharing an intangible and to see the outcome that is very tangible does wonders to one's morale I say.
Through these events I have also met and developed some friendships with like minded yokels - at least in the giving arena (don't really know what their thoughts about corporates are).
As far as the last weekend (where in I was still recovering from an arduous trip to the isle of Hawaii and all that hiking that followed) I was able to spend time working to clean and replant some flower gardens in Union Square in the city of San Francisco. It is amazing to discover what secrets a public park holds even in the middle of a thriving metro in a developed country.
From the usual cig butts to butt wipes to an assortment of broken glass and in one instance an IV needle were amongst the detritus cleared away from the flower and tree planters. It was a group of around 20 people from work who had given their mornings to pitch in and carve a clean square in the middle of the city. I think we accomplished said objective and left a few thousand square feet cleaner than we found it.
I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.
I wonder how many millennia it would require to clean up Mumbai...or Delhi.
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