Anytime you take 12+ people, all with differing talents and opinions, and put them together, it's true that sparks can fly. Yet more often, you find creativity flows! Not only was I surprised by the many different opinions and viewpoints on what's the most important direction for the shelter, I was more encouraged by the diversity of talent working side by side. Each of us truly has a talent which has brought us to be here with the common goal of helping the animals live their lives out in love and comfort.
One woman has learned to take apart pallets and make amazing kitty boxes for our resident felines, all for free yet the end result rivals anything you could buy in a store. She also paints beautification murals on the buildings that welcome visitors, lending a cheery air to the farm. Another director has worked hard to set up charity events and lines up donations of supplies from local pet stores and grocery markets. One has solicited local media contacts and researches newspaper advertising for us. Another director writes articles for the local paper to help bring awareness of all the shelter does, not just locally but for pets from over 5 states. I have taped commercials and help to publicize and emcee the entertainment events and when I'm not doing that, I'm clipping coupons to find low or no cost detergent, paper towels, and other odds & ends to help meet the myriad of needs that caring for so many animals can incur.
In seeing this, each of us works in our own way to bring about a larger whole, a group effort which yields ongoing care for over 1,200 animals of 22 species and looks to the future to hopefully be able to expand and provide this for even more animals who need us. It reminds me that when we are weak in one area, many times we are powerful in others. The volunteer who isn't a "people person" is so many times the ONE person who can work miracles with our animals with whom all other efforts have failed! We so often don't realize the gifts we have...and thank goodness they are all different. No one person is good at everything---nor can they be---but together, as a family, strengths and weaknesses are put together and progress is made. It reminds me that it's OK to not be perfect at everything, but rather to just to do the best with the talents God has given us for the good of ourselves and others.
It is only by doing we can truly learn to grow.
