Often in life we make choices that make us ‘feel better’ – actions that can be seen and measured. It is human nature to want to ‘see’ the effects of things we do.
How much more rewarding then is it to take that leap of faith and to ‘plant the trees under whose shade we will not sit’.
When I heard this phrase it really resonated with me. I thought, how often in our Soroptimist lives are there instances where we do not directly ‘see or feel’ the impact of what we have done – yet we intrinsically know that the things we do may make a difference to others.
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference.
Impacts such as supporting women and girls who live overseas, when we ‘lend with care’ a sum of money that can be as little as the cost of a day trip to London – yet it can change a family, or possibly a community.
Reading programmes with children in schools … or bags of essentials for women and families in crisis… toilets twinned, mentoring, the counting of plastics, recycling and STEM events – to mention just a few.
We often do not directly see the benefits but does this make it any less fulfilling? I would say not. In reality it is because we do not always see or know how what we have done has impacted another’s life, so it is all the more special that we have taken action, and that we continue to provide support and nurturing to others.
Who knows what effect our projects may have? By demonstrating kindness and compassion – and asking nothing in return – we will hopefully build a better future for generations of women and girls to come.
Sandy Taylor
President SI South Lancashire, 2024-25