Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
selfless or selfish?
For as long as I can remember, I've tried to live by a few simple rules: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Do what you want with your life as long as your actions do not hurt yourself, or others, directly or intentionally. Take as much responsibility for your actions as possible.
Occasionally, something happens in my life that requires me to go back and revisit these rules. Are they too simple? Did I violate one of them? What about these beliefs and actions is selfish or incomplete?
This weekend was one of the times I had to question.
On Saturday morning, I decided I needed to find a community activity. So I looked up soup kitchens in the Salt Lake City area. I found a large, LDS run organization which seemed to provide great relief to individuals in need and accepted volunteers, so I called.
A woman answered the phone and when I inquired about volunteer opportunities, she asked which temple I attended. I replied simply that I did not attend a temple but I would love to volunteer if there was a need. She informed me that my "services would be more valuable" if I were a member of the church.
I had no words. I don't understand how my lack of religious affiliation makes a difference. How could this make me less capable of handing someone a sandwich, acknowledging their existence and showing a little empathy. How could someone who attends temple make this situation more worthwhile for someone in need? How could a religious person put conditions on delivering food to someone in need?
I felt such a sudden rush of surprise, disappointment and anger that I hung up the phone. Could I not even help make soup or sandwiches because I am not a member? Could I not help clean, or help obtain food or supplies? Is my difference in opinion about religion so offensive, that one would deny me from helping them help someone less fortunate?
I absolutely recognize that this was one person in a very large organization with flawed point of view. I am positive these are not the views shared by most within the church. I am also positive that the church does far more good in this community than harm — despite my differing views, I appreciate and respect the church for it's contributions.
The experience just made me wonder why the organization of religion often has to come between people and positive action. Don't our rules get in the way sometimes?
I would love to hear your thoughts. When is attempting to be helpful actually selfish?
Occasionally, something happens in my life that requires me to go back and revisit these rules. Are they too simple? Did I violate one of them? What about these beliefs and actions is selfish or incomplete?
This weekend was one of the times I had to question.
On Saturday morning, I decided I needed to find a community activity. So I looked up soup kitchens in the Salt Lake City area. I found a large, LDS run organization which seemed to provide great relief to individuals in need and accepted volunteers, so I called.
A woman answered the phone and when I inquired about volunteer opportunities, she asked which temple I attended. I replied simply that I did not attend a temple but I would love to volunteer if there was a need. She informed me that my "services would be more valuable" if I were a member of the church.
I had no words. I don't understand how my lack of religious affiliation makes a difference. How could this make me less capable of handing someone a sandwich, acknowledging their existence and showing a little empathy. How could someone who attends temple make this situation more worthwhile for someone in need? How could a religious person put conditions on delivering food to someone in need?
I felt such a sudden rush of surprise, disappointment and anger that I hung up the phone. Could I not even help make soup or sandwiches because I am not a member? Could I not help clean, or help obtain food or supplies? Is my difference in opinion about religion so offensive, that one would deny me from helping them help someone less fortunate?
I absolutely recognize that this was one person in a very large organization with flawed point of view. I am positive these are not the views shared by most within the church. I am also positive that the church does far more good in this community than harm — despite my differing views, I appreciate and respect the church for it's contributions.
The experience just made me wonder why the organization of religion often has to come between people and positive action. Don't our rules get in the way sometimes?
I would love to hear your thoughts. When is attempting to be helpful actually selfish?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Waiting for the snow to melt
This coming Wednesday will officially be two months in Utah — it's been so much fun and a little overwhelming. I'm far behind on my blog posts and definitely still exploring. As they keep reminding me, good friends Brian and Shoko have been here for four years and have much left to explore, so I'm trying to be patient. :)
Don't get me wrong, I love the snow but I can't wait for enough of it to melt to do some hiking and camping locally, and really check out the SLC galleries. I'm looking forward to this Friday's gallery stroll beginning at the Kayo Gallery. We'll see how it compares to the KC Crossroads district, but with gallery openings, nice weather, live bands and art it looks like it's off to a promising start.
Before I moved here, everyone warned me about the lack of bars and beverages. Sorry but you were wrong! :) So far I've tried three local breweries... Wasatch, Squatters and Red Rock and haven't been disappointed. You'll have to visit and taste if you don't believe me...
So many fun downtown places I've wanted to check out, but haven't yet had time: beehive pub, beehive tea room, no brow coffee, Faustina, Paris Bistro and the Retro Rose just to name a few.
For now, I'm exploring as I can. For $10 I can pick up a weekend pass to learn how to rock climb indoors and I really need to work on my... um, snowboarding... if you can call it that. If I fail at snowboarding, Solitude still offers great views and a really nice lodge!
Work at the studio has been great and keeping me busy. I'm lucky to have a job where I am able to make advertising, help keep photo shoots and the business running smoothly, and work with creative people who care about good design and advertising. If you know me well, you know I've also been really impatient about meeting new people in the industry :) but it's all fun just the same. New week we'll be attending the SLC Addy's; I can't wait to see new local work and meet some industry people.
So... a little randomness about Utah. They put fry sauce (something like 1000 Island) on everything. Today I almost hit a billy goat in only kind-of-rural Bluffdale. Everyone drives fast here (80mph+) which makes me, and the Mini, pretty happy. Gary Coleman keeps getting arrested. And I have yet to see (or recognize) a polygamist.
Oh yeah... one more. I still need to check into this one — The Temporary Museum of Permanent Change — because it is very random. And it reminds me of my only recurring dream involving Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder... but that part is for another time.
Well, thanks for reading my rambling. Hope you enjoy the bits of SLC. More to share soon.
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