Showing Up

     A couple of years ago I read a book called Showing Up For Life by Bill Gates Sr. (Microsoft Bill Gates' dad). In it he speaks to the concept of showing up. It's about making a difference in the world by helping, by taking ownership, by being part of the solution and not part of the problem. Ever since I have referred to the efforts I make as showing up and tried to make a conscious effort to always be someone who shows up.
     Yesterday I came across a quote I liked: "The world is run by those who show up". About three years ago I decided to start showing up although I wasn't familiar with the term and that isn't what I called it. My decision was that one of my fundamental goals in life was going to be to be a leader in the community. In order to do that I started volunteering my time to various charitable causes. Youth centre, food bank, in school mentoring, literacy council, the Relay for Life and others.
     As my profile rose in the community through my volunteer efforts people started to ask me about local politics and encourage me to get involved. I supported a couple of candidates and wrote a couple of letters to the editor during the recent municipal elections in New Tecumseth. Around the same time I got involved with a local Doctor who is working to become the Conservative nominee in our riding in order to run in the next Federal election. As an offshoot of that activity I have done a lot of research and have become a member of the Conservative Party on both the Federal and Provincial levels.
     Back to the quote: "The world is run by those who show up". I am continually amazed that once you get involved you can have a lot of influence over how things happen. Show a willingness to get involved and form some well thought out opinions to go with some work ethic and try to do the right thing and people will welcome your support and ideas and allow you to have influence in the world. It's easy to stand on the sidelines and throw stones but it doesn't accomplish anything. Find a cause you can believe in and pursue it. I promise you won't regret it.