Unexpected Act of Kindness
Shortly after publishing the ‘Getting Ready To Work Again’ post a few weeks ago I received the following comment from a long time follower of ‘Gleda’ Eric Dobson. I reproduce it below:
Great picture!
I don’t care if they’ve been a bit neglected for a while, when I see those hulls ready to receive a dose of love (and epoxy), I see a picture of freedom.
Please drop me an email with your PayPal (or preferred method) address. I don’t have a lot to spare right now, but it would mean a lot to me to contribute to your epoxy fund. I’d really like to do what I can to help you reach your dreams, while I’m also working to reach my own.
Thanks!
You may imagine my feelings to receive such an offer and, as Eric knows, my initial reaction was to politely decline, but the way that Eric had worded his comments left me feeling that such a refusal would be churlish and so I wrote a grateful acceptance. eric’s lengthy reply touched me even more and with his permission I reproduce some of Erics words below:
I’m so glad my brief comments came across as intended. I just came back from a week in the Dominican Republic, and after seeing the clear blue water and white sand, it was quite easy to imagine Gleda out of the barn and exploring a tropical paradise.When I look at that picture, I’m awed by the magnitude of work that was already been accomplished. It’s just so incredible to picture… those hulls started from NOTHING, and were built, one step at a time, with your own hands. As you said, there are people who can’t recognize a dream in progress. But then, there’s a small group of us out there who DO see the dreams, and the potential, and how it’s simply a matter of taking one step at a time until your reality matches your imagination. It’s important to me to support such dreams whenever I see them.
Thanks Eric for taking the time to write to Neil. I too have a lot to be grateful to Neil for. Can I suggest Neil that you place a PayPal link on your website? It is no different to the likes of my peers putting PayPal links on their websites asking for voluntary donations for their software application they have written and made freely available. We are all sharing your dream. Keep your blog alive and keep our dreams alight.
“How do you eat and Elephant?… One small mouthful at a time!”
I too will be returning here when I need a reminder of the deeply meaningful connections that can be made when you reach out with honesty. It’s such a waste to keep good thoughts to yourself!
I wasn’t going to invite myself, but you can be sure I was thinking of it… I’ll be there! For launch, for a drink in the tropics, whatever works I can’t wait.
What is it the Buddhists say? All you need to do to be on the path, is take a step on the path. I look forward to seeing your next step!
Thanks Paul, your comments are much appreciated. I’m still wrestling with the idea of putting a Paypal ‘contribute’ button on the site. As my experience with Eric shows there are circumstances when my conscience allows me to accept donations and as you rightly point out there are other examples online of folks putting something of value out there for free and then making it easy for people to make contributions if they so choose. So I guess the question centres around the value of what I’m putting out and whether that’s for me or others to decide…..hmmm I think I may have just answered my own question!