In the past 2 weeks I have been asked to:
Bake for a school reception; work at a carwash for a school fundraiser; donate money for a school party; sign a petition; donate money for coaches’ gifts; work at a sports event concession stand; spend 2 hours chaperoning a party; donate items for a church yard sale; work at a church yard sale; purchase baked goods from a young neighbor; donate money for a student’s medical care; purchase and drop off school supplies for a church mission; support a neighbor’s marathon run for charity; support a friend’s ride in the Pan Mass Challenge; donate gift cards for a school event…
I get tired just reading over this list. Some of these items I did and wanted to do. Others I took a pass on. I had to. There is no way we can do and donate to it all. We have to prioritize and sometimes we just have to say “No.” I hear from all of you that you are overwhelmed – gone are the days when we can work during the week and relax on the weekends or in the evenings. We get too many requests for our time and resources. But we can build in time if we all get better at using the word “No” a bit more. My challenge to you is to really think hard about the daily choices you make. Is it a cause you believe in and really want to donate to? Is the activity enjoyable? Or, is it just one more thing to do? Maybe yes, or just maybe, No.