KC0NIB
11-17-2006, 05:09 PM
Seasons Greetings… once again.
There is a thread or topic running over on that other famous ham radio web site about someone’s kid or kids asking for a list of things that they can get that ham for Christmas. Reading through the list of responses to this was both alarming and disheartening to me as being very representative of “typical” today in America. I don’t mean this in a condescending way either but it does show that we need to see some change in peoples hearts and attitudes. The heart and attitude are things that show up bright, loud and clear when we’re on the air!
I am one of a rather large set of Americans who is referred to as “under-employed” in that I have been working nothing but “temp” jobs now for over 4 years. Employers in my area have had a rather large and profitable bout with hiring only temps or “youthful” workers. They even fire and lay off their tenured staff so they can call them back as temps and artificially prop up their bottom lines.
Out of all this situation comes the fact that especially this year, for my family, Christmas will be skimpy at best. One of the requirements of ham radio is that we put others before ourselves and our hobby. I personally think that my family and especially my kids have a lot to be thankful for. They will inevitably get something for Christmas just like other kids, but I think it’s time to teach “service”. There’s a word that you don’t hear much anymore in a modern “Me First” society.
I propose to all fellow hams out there that instead of a “what can I get” or “what you can get me” attitude, we should think about what can we do to help others out there. We all have plenty of stuff for our hobby, and are usually adding to it all year long. Why don’t we take money out of our pockets, and time out of our schedule to donate and volunteer at a local charity of some kind?!! It’s not hard work (much) at all and having personally done it a couple times, you come away with a rather rewarded spirit. In my neck of the woods here in Minneapolis, we have such places as the local food shelves, and the Union Gospel Mission among others. I am not sure about the Salvation Army but I am sure they probably would not turn down seasonal help with their duties this time of year.
Instead of getting something take that cash and donate it along with some of your personal time. It absolutely does not matter how or why some of those people got to where they are but they need the help. You are in a position that you can help out so you should do so. We plan on doing the same in our household. The economy is a disaster for many of us and we all ultimately share in the burdens as a whole.
Many of you have absolutely no idea how much of an impression you make on people when you are participating in some of these activities. Keep that in mind as you are spooning out some of those potatoes and creamed corn! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I’m open to suggestions on how to further this.
De 73’
Jeff (KC0NIB)
There is a thread or topic running over on that other famous ham radio web site about someone’s kid or kids asking for a list of things that they can get that ham for Christmas. Reading through the list of responses to this was both alarming and disheartening to me as being very representative of “typical” today in America. I don’t mean this in a condescending way either but it does show that we need to see some change in peoples hearts and attitudes. The heart and attitude are things that show up bright, loud and clear when we’re on the air!
I am one of a rather large set of Americans who is referred to as “under-employed” in that I have been working nothing but “temp” jobs now for over 4 years. Employers in my area have had a rather large and profitable bout with hiring only temps or “youthful” workers. They even fire and lay off their tenured staff so they can call them back as temps and artificially prop up their bottom lines.
Out of all this situation comes the fact that especially this year, for my family, Christmas will be skimpy at best. One of the requirements of ham radio is that we put others before ourselves and our hobby. I personally think that my family and especially my kids have a lot to be thankful for. They will inevitably get something for Christmas just like other kids, but I think it’s time to teach “service”. There’s a word that you don’t hear much anymore in a modern “Me First” society.
I propose to all fellow hams out there that instead of a “what can I get” or “what you can get me” attitude, we should think about what can we do to help others out there. We all have plenty of stuff for our hobby, and are usually adding to it all year long. Why don’t we take money out of our pockets, and time out of our schedule to donate and volunteer at a local charity of some kind?!! It’s not hard work (much) at all and having personally done it a couple times, you come away with a rather rewarded spirit. In my neck of the woods here in Minneapolis, we have such places as the local food shelves, and the Union Gospel Mission among others. I am not sure about the Salvation Army but I am sure they probably would not turn down seasonal help with their duties this time of year.
Instead of getting something take that cash and donate it along with some of your personal time. It absolutely does not matter how or why some of those people got to where they are but they need the help. You are in a position that you can help out so you should do so. We plan on doing the same in our household. The economy is a disaster for many of us and we all ultimately share in the burdens as a whole.
Many of you have absolutely no idea how much of an impression you make on people when you are participating in some of these activities. Keep that in mind as you are spooning out some of those potatoes and creamed corn! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I’m open to suggestions on how to further this.
De 73’
Jeff (KC0NIB)