Give, not Get

I had an unfortunate conversation

with a telemarketer yesterday.

I thought about calling his employer out,

but soon remembered the great non-profits

I have the privilege of working with and

decided that I hated to see this one suffer

at the hands of an unprofessional solicitor.

~

Now let me start off saying,

I believe passionately in professionalism,

although I myself have broken my own rules

under the weight of emotions and selfishness.

It happens.

That being said...

this guy called in the middle of my "Me" time

when I was fluttering around my kitchen,

savoring my quiet, productive cooking.

Some have yoga studios, I have my kitchen.

He interrupted that with the annoying kind

of solicitation that demands how much I plan to give.

He says this after *ONE* sentence describing the org.

which I can only describe as a knock-off

of a HUGE national non-profit.

I politely told him I wasn't interested.

He told me I don't have to give now

and they have levels of support.

I assured him that "our money goes elsewhere."

(Because it does...)

... and he Hung Up On Me!...

Since when does generosity toward other organizations

and my not being inspired mean you should be rude.

~

And then I realized.

He lost the vision!

He works for a group that gives,

but he's focused on the "gets."

It's given me a renewed energy.

With every amazing group for whom I write grants,

I need to remember WHY they do what they do

and that the money should be aiding that,

not ensuring it.

It's about Giving, Not Getting!