It is obvious that community service has definitely been one the best experiences in my life. It is not as though I was doing a freshly new thing I haven’t done before. It’s just that I’m doing in a different milieu with different people. But the ways and strategies doesn’t really change. The only new thing about it is that no cash is entering. But that’s fine. Why? Well, because life is not only about cash. So, I have a deep feeling of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment after such experiences because I know I’m giving back to the community what life has invested in me. In retrospective, I can’t really see what I’d have wanted to change because as we say in Cameroon: “on ne change pas l’équipe qui gagne!”. Meaning, “Do not change a winning team!” The feedback I get are indicators for me to make adjustments when needed. But if most of them are positive, then why the hell will I change that? The best advice I can give to myself is to continue like that. If there is any other thing I can do, then it is to do what I usually do, i.e. to continuously question myself and pushing forward with my standards.
There’s one thing I learnt a couple of years ago from one of the top leaders of the world, Dr. David O. Oyedepo. i.e. Self-control, which has been of tremendous help to me when I find myself in any unpleasant situation. So, thanks to self-control, my reactions are handled with care. People are generally amazed about my interactions with other people in life, because I really have no difficulty when it comes to that. Why? One of the main reasons for that is I’ve always found myself in situations where I can’t go forward if I don’t interact with people. So, it’s kind of a survival mechanism I’ve developed to adapt myself to any situation anytime, anywhere and anyhow. It’s true that a couple of gurus in personal development have a hand in my resilient personality. People like Jim Rohn, Tony Robins, Les Brown, just to name a few inspire me a lot.
I mentioned in one of my previous blogs that IT services weren’t present at SERY, before my arrival. Because of that, I assumed there was no schedule for people who needed IT services or lessons. Since I was given charge of that, I had to produce a course outline for the lessons I will be giving in the days to come. Fortunately, my lessons go on smoothly, since we have a plan and direction as to where we are going. As time goes on, evolution can be measured in order to know whether we’re progressing or not. The best skills I can be proud of going back home with are my teaching skills and experience that are been consolidated. The more I interact with people, the more I perfect my communication skills and the easier it is for me to build successful and lasting relationships in the future. Isn’t that awesome?
I believe we’re not our best observers. i.e. You can’t be the best judge for yourself. Why? Our self-love and selfishness may bias our objectivity. That’s why when it comes to personal strengths and weaknesses, I prefer referring to what people say about me. People’s observations about us generally reveal a more objective and impartial judgement. Especially when they come from people to whom we’ve once been subordinately related. That being said, no need coming back to my parents’, bosses’, colleagues’, supervisors’ (Forman) and teachers’ feedback about me, because they’re generally positive. I receive congrats and appreciations virtually every day. My supervisor at SERY tells me how my student is satisfied and keeps thanking me. One of my teachers tells me how my reputation has reached the department. A colleague of mine at KDC (Knowlton Development Corporation) once asked me if I’ve always had such a good behaviour! The person with whom I’ve been living now for close to three years trusted me because of my mother’s testimony to him. So, as you can see it comes from everywhere. I am overwhelmed.
Generally, when things go on smoothly in a person’s life, especially in the professional and relational aspects, it is a proof that he/she is in accordance with his/her strong beliefs, convictions and personal values. Sharing valuable knowledge freely during my community service greatly reinforces my beliefs, values and convictions. How? I believe a person’s contribution to the community/society cannot be fully measured or evaluated to its integral/real value. The paycheck we get for paid jobs does not reflect (is not proportional) to the invested time, energy, determination, skills and potential. Community service is the best way to allow life reward you in proportion to your invested value. “If they reward you, you won’t have my reward! If they don’t, you shall receive my reward in a hundred-fold!” says my spiritual father. That is what this experience has reminded me of.
My Social Responsibility Perspective
My responsibility as I wrote time and again in my previous posts is to be the tech guy. i.e. Teach IT and transfer skills and knowledge. No need entering into the details of what I teach precisely because it was discussed earlier on. My student’s job is to listen and follow my instructions step by step. If both parties do what is required of them, then everything is going to be alright. I don’t really know what others in the organisation do. The only person with whom I interact most often at SERY is Claude Chagnon, the volunteer coordinator. She’s the one in charge of scheduling my sessions and making everything is alright. As far as leadership is concerned, this is not really the best type of environment in which my leadership skills would have been exercised. Most of what is required of me is to be punctual, professional and effective. If the question was asked about my job experiences, then I’d have had a couple of things to say on leadership. Once more, responsibilities, roles played, what did each person do, etc., all revolve around the same subject treated earlier in previous posts. The only way other people can get involved into what I do at SERY is by registering to get free IT lessons and services. In that way I’ll have more students to teach and more people to serve. Hopefully, SERY is perfectly structured with everything being planned and scheduled. If Claude told me if more people are in need of my help, then she’s going to organise that. And I believe she’s capable of doing that. Everyone’s responsibility is well defined and as such everyone knows what he/she has to do. Some volunteers help people with French in a program called “Francisation”, Others help kids with their homework (Aide aux devoirs), others accompany people to medical appointments, others take care of sociocultural activities, and finally, interpretation is part of the game. As far as who specifically does what? I can’t tell, once my part of the deal is done, I find my way home. Hence, if any one is in need of those services our organisation offers, you are free to join the team. No personal observer is present during my lessons. They believe I can do what I say I can do, so they leave me in peace. Nevertheless, electronic observers (spy cameras) are always present. The watcher behind them can only react if and only if things go wrong. But that’s far from happening during my lessons. Why? I am a good guy! SERY is sufficiently dynamic to adapt to any new changes and accommodate a different set of clients. The fact that I’ve been engaged, and a sort of IT department was put in place on the fly is a proof that they’re equipped for new changes and efficiency. They’re or should I say “we” are really doing a great job for the Granby community.
Hey there Seedrick!
Just as you do, I have a will to pursue my personal development. I believe motivation is a crucial step in the journey of achieving massive results. Obviously, the most important part is to turn thoughts into action, but the boost of energy from motivational speakers are tremendously helpful.
You mentioned a few of my personal favourites, but you didn't talk about Eric Thomas who has affected me astronomically. In fact, I've even adopted his motto: "turn tragedy into triumph." I've faced a lot of adversity in life that could've knocked me down, but it's the help of people like Eric, Les, Tony, etc. that allow me to keep moving forward.
You also seem very determined: I…