Absence to Presence

Though all of my zoo visits have been delightful, I've not made frequent trips since Julia and Gar lost interest in these family outings several years ago.  So, I'm amazed that I've been to two wonderful zoos 1400 miles apart within the past week.  And, absence of giraffes at one, was contrasted by the special opportunity to actually feed a giraffe at the other.

Since I readily seize new opportunities, I would have eagerly embraced the chance to feed a giraffe this week.  However, it wouldn't have had the same significance, had I not realized the previous week,  that not all great zoos have giraffes.

Interestingly, this made me vividly aware that sometimes absence, contrasted with presence, enhances the impact and appreciation.

Presence to Presents

Today was another reminder of how incredibly connected we all are.  My early morning meeting led to a conversation later in the day about personal, corporate and nonprofit connectedness.  This connectedness may lead to additional corporate recognition and thus supplemental charitable giving to a terrific nonprofit.

A chance meeting of a relocated nonprofit professional at my next meeting led to a possible job match with an inquiring nonprofit executive during a returned telephone call later in the day.

Our presence always has the chance to lead to presents.

Everyone Matters

Last year, I took an unplanned sabbatical from church.  It probably began as an out of town trip.  This was followed by a decision to not get up and dressed the next Sunday.  Several weeks passed without attending church.  I was still praying every day and sending our monthly pledge, so I assumed no one noticed.  A hand-written note from our rector arrived saying that he missed us.  What an effective way to get me back where I need to be.

Regardless of how many people are part of a group or organization, when we are expected to be present, our absence is felt.   Sometimes, the only encouragement needed to engage or re-engage an individual is a personal communication from someone who is actively involved letting the person who's not participating fully know that his or her contributions are valued.

Presence v. Absence

I've realized that so many things that we notice are based upon presence v. absence.  For instance, we realize that something needs to be dusted, de-linted, vacuumed, or washed.