At church a week ago, the pastor said something I’ve been thinking about since.  Researchers say that those who are the most vocal on social media do not actually  participate in or contribute to those causes they are the loudest about with either their time or money.  Now, I don’t know who these researchers are or why or how they research this kind of thing but it got me thinking as these things are apt to do.

It makes me think of my own experiences, looking at something from the outside.  It’s easy to critique or complain about something from the outside, only seeing those things you can or are allowed to see.  It’s easy to be the armchair quarterback and not be running around the frigid football field in January in Wisconsin.  You don’t have to invest anything to be an observer.  Again, it’s easy.

Think about it – the customer complaining to the fast food service worker who has never worked fast food.  A student who has never been a teacher. The organization member who has never served on a board.  A citizen who has never run for office.  You will never totally understand how things work unless you’re in the middle of it.  You will also never have the opportunity to make change if you’re not in the middle of it.

We’ve all done it.  Shoot, I served on a board for six years as an appointed member and thought I understood the inner workings until I became president of that same organization.  Not even close.  It was my wake-up call that if you really want to contribute to a cause you believe it, you have to sacrifice the time and become a part of the inner workings of that organization.

Making the effort to be a part of a cause or organization does several things.  First of all, if teaches you patience.  I’ve worked fast food.  I know what it feels like to be behind the counter during a rush.  My instinct is to put the food worker at ease when I go to the counter because I understand the stress so I tend to be patient.  Secondly it teaches you to listen.  I don’t assume I know everything so I listen first, then I see where my skills fit in and if I can help.  It’s not that I don’t want to jump right in a fix everything, but it’s a conscious effort to hold back, listen and learn first.  Lastly, I understand that others who are NOT in the middle of what I’m doing don’t completely understand, and may never understand the inner workings of what I do or about the organization I represent.  In this case, it is my job to just serve those people to the best of my ability and to be honest with them.  Not everyone will be happy, but then I know I’ve done my best.

So what is your cause or passion?  Are you involved or are you just giving it mouth service?  If you can’t contribute monetarily or with your time, are you living the lifestyle that represents what you believe?  Or are you just criticizing something you THINK you understand but don’t really because you’re not in the middle of it?  We can only see things through our own perspective but we can change our perspective if we are willing to see and listen and participate more in those things we feel passionate about.

For instance, instead of criticizing teachers, volunteer to serve in the classroom and help them.  Instead of complaining about government at any level, run for office or volunteer for a candidate you believe in.  Get a group together to beautify your neighborhood or serve at a soup kitchen or donate to the homeless.  If we all DID something about those things we talk about just imagine the positive difference we could make in the world.  We don’t have to agree with each other, we just need to do the thing we as individuals feel strongly about.  Everything else will work itself out.

Many times I’ve heard people say that you can see where people’s passions lie by looking at their calendars and their bank accounts.  Even the greatest orators of our time walked the walk as well.  What do you want to get in the middle of to make a difference in the world?