What happens at the end of the day, when that little voice inside your head repeatedly asks, “What have you done of any significance?” More importantly, what happens when your go-to answer is “Nothing?” As I have gotten older, I often struggle with my purpose in this world and whether I will make any lasting contribution. Luckily, my faith is there to continually remind me to think of those who are in need before ourselves. This reminder is one of the reasons I try to honor my commitment by always trying to do something even if the results aren’t immediately apparent.
It started innocently by ringing a bell. While it’s not exactly the most complex job in the world, it was one I could do with enthusiasm. Little did I realize this one act, taken along with thousands of others, would have an impact far more than I could ever imagine. Thus, was born my early interactions with the Salvation Army. Later, I would expand my involvement by collecting, wrapping, and delivering gifts during the holidays.
I began to recognize underserved communities around me that are overflowing with people who feel they have become so marginalized that they believe they are no longer seen or much less matter. The Hispanic community is one such group. They have come under increasing pressure from opposing modern political forces so I began to volunteer at the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA). These days, doing things for the “Common Good” gets a bad rap. My goal has always been to get others to consider adding their voices using that same guiding principle.
I didn’t have to go far to find my biggest challenge yet as it was literally right in my backyard. I can tell you; that I didn’t grow up wanting to be a firefighter. I wanted to be a Superhero. Spider-man to be exact. I never paid close attention until I noticed the firehouse was desperately seeking volunteers. I knew I could do something. I was warned there was one primary rule I had to follow. School ALWAYS came first, which struck me as odd. I thought things on fire might have been the #1 priority. I quickly realized that while they require new blood, they might be looking for something more from me as the Chief may have been playing the long game from the very start of our introduction. He worries not only about today’s fires but the fires yet to come. He probably guessed I would begin to ask myself “How can pumping mechanisms be improved? How can ladder design reach further? How can protection suits be made lighter and safer?” Answers to these questions could be the difference between life and death. It’s become clearer to me that my career obligation should be to seek answers to such questions through continuing education to design new engineering solutions to support such lofty goals. An Engineering degree will hopefully allow me to pursue that.
I continue along in my journey as a Provisional Firefighter for the Schooley’s Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. I show up mornings, nights, weekdays, or anytime the fire has the good sense to avoid school hours. Here, along with all the other communities that have welcomed me, I am truly blessed. I realize that the more I keep the giving spirit alive, the more I can keep those little voices in my head at bay. Perhaps they will decide to move on to visit others and teach them the mantra that inaction is a state that is learned, not encoded in your DNA at birth.