TODAY’S THE DAY

BY MICHELLE OIE

My life is quiet. Too quiet. Those are words I never thought I’d say. In addition to losing my work office environment in 2020, and all the potlucks and office events that went with it, we are now empty nesters. Our pets don’t quite fill the role of bustling teenagers and friends coming and going at unexpected hours of the day and night. It used to fill my heart to see their visiting young faces. I loved getting updates on their lives and filling their bellies with a meal or a simple cookie.

One thing that has kept me energized and joyful during this new season of quiet has been my involvement in community organizations. I never outright thought, “I’m going to get involved. Where should I go?” It just seemed to happen. The joy that comes from helping people live a better life has motivated me to get involved. So as opportunities aligned with my talents and interests, I said, “Yes!”

When I wake up on a volunteer day I’m so excited. I think, “Today’s the day!” My talk is prepared, I’ve practiced numerous times and I am ready. Driving to the venue I anticipate the people I will meet, what I will learn from them and what they might learn from me. My mood is lighter, I have newfound energy for the day and the joy I feel when presenting and interacting with my new friends is like warm sunshine. It fills my heart. It’s an unmatched natural high. To utilize your gifts and talents to positively benefit others is a feeling like no other.

Where do I volunteer my time and energy? My hope is that by sharing my experiences your interest will be sparked to get involved in the organizations and activities you love.

I have a day job that aligns with environmental sustainability, so it was a coworker who told me about Happy Dancing Turtle’s Back to Basics event in Pine River. According to their website, “Back to Basics is the premier sustainable living event of north-central Minnesota. It combines workshops, vendors/exhibitors, a keynote, lunch, door prizes, and more to bring roughly 400 people together to share ideas on a wide variety of topics related to sustainability and resiliency.” Since 2011 I have been presenting a workshop at the event and I absolutely love it. I started out with a “Seven Steps to a Passionate Life” workshop and this year I offered “Is Stressful Stress Stressing You Out?” It is so fulfilling when people are encouraged by what I have to offer. We are all on this journey of life together so why not help each other out? The event itself is wonderful. The vendors are fun and unique, the speakers are knowledgeable, and lunch is always delicious. I even won a door prize one year. Looking for an outlet for my writing, I contacted Her Voice magazine in 2019. They were nice enough to let me submit a few articles. (Thank you Her Voice and to all of you who read the magazine.) I have been writing for them since. It’s a privilege to share my insights. At first I was nervous to be vulnerable but I realize now that my experiences can help others. From tips for a great family summer road trip to what love really is, I write from the heart. Hopefully there are nuggets that folks can take with them on their journey that will help them live better. https://www.brainerddispatch. com/topics/her-voice-magazine

I’m not sure why, but I really enjoy teenagers. They are energetic and fun and full of ideas. To hang out with them is enlightening. I learn so much from their outlook on life. When the Brainerd Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center told me in 2019 they had an opening for a volunteer to travel to local high schools and present a Healthy Relationships talk, I was intrigued. Tapping into my love of teaching (and teenagers), I have presented to nine area schools with six additional schools yet to be contacted. Classes range from eighth to 12th grade. On the first day, they take an animal personality assessment, we talk about making good choices and being assertive and grateful. On day two we dive into why people date, qualities to look for in someone to marry, what is love and end with the kids discovering their love language. They really enjoy finding out their animal personality and love language. As antisocial as teenagers can be to a guest speaker in their classroom, I have received a few heartfelt thank yous over the years. My heart jumps for joy. There is so much heartache in the world, especially among our young people. If one nugget of information I offer helps someone live a better life, it’s all worth it.

I never thought my teaching would turn into preaching. Recently, I learned about the new Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge women’s campus in Brainerd. As I heard the interview on the radio I wondered how I could get involved.

I contacted them and submitted my volunteer application. I was told that a good fit for me was as a guest speaker at their chapel. I presented for the first time at the end of April. It was amazing. I shared my talk, there were tears and it ended in hugs. If that’s not awesome, I don’t know what is.

There have been other opportunities I’ve tried. When my kids were little I taught Junior Achievement in their elementary classrooms. I also tried my hand at teaching fourth grade Sunday school. This is when I learned I preferred teenagers. I have spoken for Stonecroft Ministries, led book discussion groups, taught classes at Brainerd Community Education and

Here’s where I volunteer:

• happydancingturtle.org/back-to-basics

• lakesareapregnancy.org

• mntc.org organized Toys for Kids. Some other organizations I’ve thought about giving my time to are Bridges of Hope and the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen. (I haven’t volunteered for Bridges of Hope yet but I certainly have shopped at their wonderful stores more than once.) There’s only one of me so those two might have to wait. Perhaps upon retirement I will add those and others to the list. Who knows, you might see me all over town.

For more volunteer opportunities around the Brainerd lakes area, visit brainerd.com/business-directory/services/volunteer/ or brainerdcommunityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Volunteerism.pdf.

Unfortunately, these volunteer opportunities fall outside the duties of my day job. Although, in 2018 I was able to create an Employee Mentorship Program at my place of work for our 900-plus employees and it’s been going pretty strong since. I thoroughly enjoy leading it. It’s a good reminder I can get involved and/or volunteer in different ways while “on the clock.” If you don’t have time to volunteer, how can you volunteer at your day job? Perhaps you plan potlucks and staff lunches. You could organize a food drive or collect funds to donate to a good cause. Tapping into one of your many talents and aligning it with a good cause can make your heart sing.

I encourage you, if your life is quiet or even if it’s not, to start thinking about how you can get involved in causes and organizations that align with your talents and interests. If you have young children perhaps get involved with the organizations they are involved in. Volunteering and getting involved gets you out of the house, you meet new people, and you’re less bored and isolated. The joy and energy you experience while doing this will tell you if it’s the right choice. Making a positive difference in the lives of others, I believe, is the purpose of our lives. We all have gifts and talents that can be shared with others. Who knows, the time you spend with someone might even make them feel loved and valued. Today’s the day to check it out. Learn what’s out there, find organizations who need help, pick one or two and contact them today. Then, once you are involved, you too can wake up on a volunteer day saying, “Today’s the day!”

Michelle Oie is a Finding Purpose coach, inspirational speaker, writer and soon-to-be author. Her passion is helping people find their unique life purpose. She loves Jeep Wranglers, peanut butter and hitting all green lights driving through Brainerd. Take The Happiness Quiz and learn more at www.michelleoie.com.