DG Neil McBeth's December 2009 Message
Posted by John Betrus
Both Canadian and now the American Thanksgiving has come and gone. December is the Rotary Month for Family.
The month of December brings with it a very special time for family, the time of our holiday celebrations and also the preparation for the coming New Year. However, many among us are not as fortunate, and so Rotarians through their club projects are able to make this time of year very special for those in need.
Many clubs are active in helping their local Salvation Army by ringing those bells at the kettle, volunteers have sold newspapers for the Good Fellows and then collected canned goods, bought turkeys, packaged food baskets and wrapped toys for food pantries. Our Districts "3 Million Pound Challenge" started by Grosse Pointe President Bob Bashara and the Windsor Essex County canned drive started by AG Arnie Charlton are two great examples of clubs working together with their communities to make a difference. These projects are helping to "Build Bridges of Hope".
RI President John Kenny reminds us in the December Rotarian that the idea of Rotary is a simple one. Every Rotarians is part of a Rotary Family, a family that is much larger than our 1.2 million members. It also includes the men, women and children who assist us with our projects, the spouses and children of our own families, the participants of our TRF programs and the alumni who have been part of that past. It includes our Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange family.
All of us are part of the Rotary family committed to service of those in need.This is the time of year to slow down and spend some precious time with those you love and care for. Every Rotarian should find balance between theirinteraction between their Rotary club and their family and the family of Rotary.The following story is a great example that we should all follow.
Life Lesson
A professor stood before his philosophy class and placed some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes". The professor then produced two cups of tea and poured the contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your passions ( I hope that Rotary fits in your life here) - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand in the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the important things. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner to dinner. Play another 18. Join your Rotary Club at its weekly meeting. Set your priorities."
One of the students raised her hand and asked what the tea represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of tea with a friend.
A special thank you to PDG Jim Karolyi and his complete committee for the excellent RYLA that was held in November. Former D6400 GSE Team member Michael Angelo Caruso once again motivated a very excited and cooperative group of high school students again this year.
Cheryl and I look forward to seeing many of you at the many club holiday events we have been invited to and we wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, full of joy and peace and the very best in the New Year!
May all of you have a safe and prosperous December.
Neil
Many clubs are active in helping their local Salvation Army by ringing those bells at the kettle, volunteers have sold newspapers for the Good Fellows and then collected canned goods, bought turkeys, packaged food baskets and wrapped toys for food pantries. Our Districts "3 Million Pound Challenge" started by Grosse Pointe President Bob Bashara and the Windsor Essex County canned drive started by AG Arnie Charlton are two great examples of clubs working together with their communities to make a difference. These projects are helping to "Build Bridges of Hope".
RI President John Kenny reminds us in the December Rotarian that the idea of Rotary is a simple one. Every Rotarians is part of a Rotary Family, a family that is much larger than our 1.2 million members. It also includes the men, women and children who assist us with our projects, the spouses and children of our own families, the participants of our TRF programs and the alumni who have been part of that past. It includes our Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange family.
All of us are part of the Rotary family committed to service of those in need.This is the time of year to slow down and spend some precious time with those you love and care for. Every Rotarian should find balance between theirinteraction between their Rotary club and their family and the family of Rotary.The following story is a great example that we should all follow.
Life Lesson
A professor stood before his philosophy class and placed some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes". The professor then produced two cups of tea and poured the contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your passions ( I hope that Rotary fits in your life here) - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand in the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the important things. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner to dinner. Play another 18. Join your Rotary Club at its weekly meeting. Set your priorities."
One of the students raised her hand and asked what the tea represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of tea with a friend.
A special thank you to PDG Jim Karolyi and his complete committee for the excellent RYLA that was held in November. Former D6400 GSE Team member Michael Angelo Caruso once again motivated a very excited and cooperative group of high school students again this year.
Cheryl and I look forward to seeing many of you at the many club holiday events we have been invited to and we wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, full of joy and peace and the very best in the New Year!
May all of you have a safe and prosperous December.
Neil