Nearly every single day I hear complaints about the work we do down here at the Mission.
We shouldn’t serve that kind of food. Those people don’t deserve to be helped. He shouldn’t be allowed to be in charge of that department. They wouldn’t give them food. They did give them food. They kicked him out. They didn’t kick him out. The staff and volunteers get all of the good food. The staff and volunteers aren’t allowed to eat. People who have jobs are allowed to eat in the soup kitchen. People who have jobs aren’t allowed to eat in the soup kitchen. Etc, etc etc ad noseum.
In his post, But the Beatles were out of tune, Seth Godin writes:
“Without a doubt, when the Beatles played Shea Stadium, Paul was a little out of tune. Without a doubt, the Gettysburg Address had one or two word choice issues. Without a doubt, that restaurant down the street isn’t perfect.
That’s okay. They made something.
Sure, make it better, by all means put in the time to bring us your best work.”
But, in the end, what’s important?
“Get it out there.”
Do it. Schedule it. Tweak it. Keep learning while you’re doing.
But Dammit, do something!
One thing that I always try and remember about my volunteers, staff, board and myself is that we are imperfect humans trying to do demanding and emotionally draining work with sometimes difficult individuals.
Are we perfect?
No.
But on a daily basis we do try to “Get It Out There.’
Which is a lot more than I can say about most of the people I hear complaints from.