Thanksgiving Day Balance: Meaningful Work & Choice

In the chaotic landscape of a supermarket parking lot reeling with pre-Thanksgiving day shoppers, standing guard at the swinging electronic doors was a group of students from Baldwin High School, (Long Island, NY) where I had spent some of my most influential years.

Few shoppers escaped the bright yellow paper that was thrust upon them with passion. Even fewer escaped the message – food banks were experiencing a shortage of donations and these teens aimed to put more than a dent in the problem. With one teaching supervisor helping to coordinate, I watched as these holiday helpers strategically disseminated their message and successfully collected food for the disenfranchised. Engaged in what they felt was meaningful work, they braved some chilly temperatures with fervor for hours outside of this supermarket.

One young girl had a light sweatshirt on. "Cold," I remarked. With a grin, her eyes sparkled and her head shook a big "not at all" at me and she went on to the next shopper. Undaunted, more than a half dozen of them were efficient and loving the work they were doing. There was nothing stressful about their duty on this day. They chose their task and went about it with grace.

Moved by their enthusiasm, I gleefully went about getting some items for my mom who I was visiting, and continued to brave the crowds collecting goodies for the kids outside to give to others. What surprised me was my attention to do the right thing; purchasing the items that would be most needed.

Do I buy yams or cranberry? Stuffing or potatoes? A turkey or tofu? This is where I got stuck. I’m mostly a vegetarian. I know that is a ridiculous statement. Please don’t comment on that. The truth is that I try to be a vegetarian for several personal reasons. But that’s not what I write about or proclaim to be an expert on. Let’s just say I was a bit perplexed.

Then it dawned on me that it wasn’t my place to judge their need or desire for turkeys, or to decide what was best for those who would be chowing down on my donation. But I had a choice to either donate canned vegetables, which these students had an abundance of, or donate a turkey which was clearly the need.

So here are my thoughts. We cannot dictate our views to those who have not asked for our opinion, might not be ready to hear what we have to say, are uninterested in what we have to say, or are struggling with meeting a basic need; like food, clothing or shelter. On the flip side, we as shoppers are responsible for the choices we make and the industries we support. Quite the conundrum.

These students would not be the judge on this day. They were meeting basic needs. On an empty belly, it’s hard to teach people new ideas or share a different space of consciousness. In a post-war region or devastated by natural disaster, basic needs are met before the schools are set up. Then the education begins. Learning takes place. New ideas are introduced.

I believe we must meet people where they are in order to engage in discussion, and elevate the conversation. It’s in transcending differences and embracing commonalities that we practice inclusion, thus bringing about a different playing field of consciousness. If we could apply that lesson in the workplace and in our business interactions – I think we’d all be a lot happier.