A few years ago I completed a volunteer workshop at our local Hospice facility and would occasionally help with mailouts, filing, and other office tasks. It had been quite some time since I'd helped out when I got a phone call recently from the director. She asked if I was still interested in volunteering and if so, in what capacity. I decided it was time to jump back in and told her at this point I still preferred office work. She hesitantly asked if I'd be willing to do some shredding. It obviously isn't a very popular job. I jumped at the opportunity! There are times in life when something rote and mindless is just what you need!
Seeing the huge stack of paperwork-filled boxes to be shredded, I quickly realized it wouldn't get done in one session. Undaunted, I popped in my earbuds, plugged into the iPod on my phone, and set to work. Four hours later I'd gotten through more than half the stack and best of all, thoroughly enjoyed myself! I think the iPod on my phone must have a better "shuffle" feature than my regular iPod since I listened to such a wonderfully wide variety of music. Classic Rock, Pirate Metal, Rap, Country, Jazz, Pop, Classical, Hard Rock, R&B.... you name it, I heard it! It's not often I have the chance to listen to music without distractions. My only fear was that I'd embarrass myself by forgetting where I was and start singing out loud or dancing!
Pictured above is the Gardenia plant my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. It will look nice in our backyard.
9 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. I like a good mindless task every so often ... and having an iPod can make almost any task bearable.
Looking back at my post, I failed to list Gospel and Contemporary Christian. Probably the only thing I didn't hear was Opera. I don't think I have any of that.
I'm gonna finish the job later in the week (and listen to more good music!).
How wonderful of you to help!
quid
How kind of you to give of your time like this. Not a job I'd mind, I think shredding is such a boring job that you can just let your mind drift - I think its great for relieving stress.
Loving your valentines gift, so pretty and that bow finishes it off perfectly, a wonderful contrast with the flowers.
Gorgeous Gardenia!!!!
Great that you do the volunteer work.
I bet that Gardenia bush smells wonderful, too.
I like mindless tasks occasionally, too. It's almost as good as meditating.
Beautiful Gardenia! It reminds me of "To Kill a Mockingbird" - it was a Gardenia Jem killed off, wasn´t it?
If I had to do voluntary work, I wouldn´t mind shredding either - anything you can do without having to think. I´d probably plot crime while I did it, though.
Dorte - Now I'm trying to remember! I can't place the Gardenia in "To Kill a Mockingbird". I may have to pull out my copy and look.
It could have been another flower he attacked.
Good night :D
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