Blogtember- Coffee Shop Emotions

I have decided to participate in Blogtember. It seems like something that would be pretty fun. I have no idea if I'll be able to actually do this, but I'm going to give it a try!

Today's prompt:

Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop. (I recommend downloading Ommwriter and bringing headphones along!) *if you can't make it to a coffee shop, at least leave your usual space and write someplace new.

So, I'm kinda cheating with this prompt. Because my life is so busy, I usually write posts (this one included) the night before and schedule them, and I usually write them pretty late. So no coffee shop for me, but I am drinking coffee as I write this.

For this prompt we can write about whatever we want. There are SO MANY things I could write about...I have a long list. But, I had something happen yesterday and I really wanted to write about it, so here it goes.

I work in non-profit fundraising.

I hands down, without a doubt, love my job. I love what I do, I love the organization I work for and I believe in the mission, vision and mandate of my organization.

But I don't get paid a lot- making almost half of what I made when I was in the corporate world. I work long hours- going in early, staying late, working from home at night, working on weekend. I am under a lot of stress- I'm responsible for bringing in the money so that our organization has funds to run our programs and services and to more or less keep the doors open. I am ALWAYS working- everyone I meet is a potential donor, sponsor, supporter, contact. Heck, I saw David Myles (Canadian musician) this week and I was talking to him about where I work and what I do...he told me that he did work with a sister organization in New Brunswick.

Non-profit is not an easy gig. You have to love what you do. Really love it.

And I do. I love my job. I really, really do. But there are times, where I just feel so worn out and exhausted. Maybe a little frustrated and overworked. Perhaps a bit unappreciated. I might even want to take a day or two off to regroup, but I can't...too many meetings scheduled, needing to be in the office for one reason or another, looming deadlines...I realize it'll be at least 2 weeks before I can have a break, a lot of times longer.

I still love what I do and am happy to go to work, but my energy is lower and my passion for what I do isn't at the level it normally is. I feel a little bit unfulfilled.

Then it happens...something that puts things into perspective, makes you feel energized/passionate/fulfilled/etc. Everything becomes worth it.

It could be the president of the board going out of her way to tell you that you're doing a good job or a former client saying they don't know what they would've done without your organization or a stranger (or David Myles =) saying the work your organization does is much needed and important.

Or, in the case of yesterday, a text message from a contact saying they are giving our organization $5,000.

When I found that out, I nearly cried. Because of the work I did...contacting them, inviting them to events, giving them the opportunity to learn about our organization and the work we do...they went out of their way to raise $5,000 specifically for our organization.

They saw the value of our organization, they need for our programs and services, what we add to the community. They too believe in the work we do, our mandate, vision and mission. They want to enable us to continue to help the clients we serve...to make lives a little better. They believe in us.

It's moments like this, situations like this, that remind me why I do the work I do.