Path of Least Resistance

Apples do not fall up from the trees into the sky. Instead, apples are either plucked off their branches or they eventually fall down to the ground (splat). Most things in nature go from "point A" to "point B" in a way that takes the least amount of energy. Rain falls. Rivers flow downstream. Seedlings grow up toward the sun. Rocks sink in water and roll down hills.

The path of least resistance is often the quickest, easiest, most efficient way to get things done.

When it comes to service, the path of least resistance would seem to be to spread the word about service projects that need to get done and about people who want to do service. It is very simple: I love animals and I want to help them live a happy life. My friends love animals and want to help them too. Our local animal shelter needs assistance caring for their animals. It seems like a perfect match between supply and demand.

But people tend to complicate things in ways that do not always make the most sense. There are several factors that keep us wandering off the path of least resistance:

• Individuals and organizations needing help often have difficulty asking for the help they need. Sometimes they depend on the same few people to do all of the many projects that need to be done!


• People who can and will do service projects tend to keep their good works private because they want to avoid the prospect of appearing boastful or unseemly.


• Those who want to give service and those who need to get service have a difficult time getting together!

The first Saturday of every month, Together We Can Change The World Day, offers a simple way to match up needs with helping hands. As our project registry on http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ grows and expands, it is our sincere hope that individuals and organizations that need volunteer assistance can have their needs met, and simultaneously, people and groups that want to do service projects can easily find fulfilling activities!

Our next T-Day is March 7. It might take a little time to get our Registry database filled with hundreds and thousands of projects, the path of least resistance right now is to begin adding projects to the website so the supply and the demand strikes a balance.