The Champion Within

Alternate Title: I Know You Don’t Give a Damn About Your Lawn

See what that is in the photo? That is the edge between the grass and the sidewalk as it crosses over from our property to that of our neighbors to the south of us. Most in Florida know that proper care for a St. Augustine lawn requires several pieces of equipment: a lawnmower, an edger, a string trimmer and a blower. Oh, and a fertilizer spreader. Without these, or the skill of a professional who has these equipment pieces, you get what you get.

As you see in the image, some grass is neatly edged against the sidewalk, while other grass grows over the edges in a less kempt manner. Before you jump to the conclusion that I am lawn-shaming my neighbor in this wonderful community in which we live, that is far from the truth. Actually, I like my neighbor. She is kind and friendly. I respect her. She moved here several years ago as a single mother with six children in tow, scoring a short-sale home that allowed the family to start their life anew. She is a published author (yes, two on the same street!) and a contributing employee to local public school education. All good.

An Experiment on Champions Within

Why am I showing you photos of grass? Or telling my neighbor’s life story? Yes, I am going somewhere with this.

You see, a few short weeks ago, I conducted an experiment. One in complete good faith, with no ill intent whatsoever, just a desire to either be proved right or wrong in my theory. Much to my dismay, I was proved correct.

What did I do? One Saturday about a month ago, I caught the attention of my lawn crew as they arrived to do their weekly mow-blow-and go in my yard, slipped them a twenty-spot, and asked them to offer a little attention to my neighbor’s home. Specifically, I requested they string-trim around the base of the home, take out the overgrown weeds in the planter bed, and throw an edge on the sidewalk so there is not a noticeable difference where my yard stops and theirs begins. Jason and his partner gladly obliged. I could hear the whirring of the equipment tear through the overgrown foliage as they addressed the landscaping needs next door.

Within 24 hours, I peeked at the result of Jason’s work. Nicely done. The home and yard were back in compliance with the homeowner’s association Covenant. The yard again blended with others in the community, no longer an eyesore that drew unnecessary and undesired attention.

A few days later, we received a thank you note on our door from our neighbor. I was unsure if she even knew who offered this gesture of goodwill, as I had not shared my intent with anybody. She expressed her appreciation, apologizing for the delay in response, but wanted to ensure us the gesture did not go unnoticed.

For those who know me, they know I do not do kind things with any expectation of reciprocation. Or, any expectation of anything at all. Still, gratitude is deeply appreciated. A handwritten note is a wonderful way to express it.

This is the point where the experiment began. I wanted to see what would happen next. Much to my chagrin, what I hoped would not occur, but was convinced it likely would, did. Within a month, aided by some healthy days of alternating rain and sunshine, the yard and the detail areas returned to a condition near what they were a month ago when Jason attacked them with his gear. Grass blades rise high against the side of the home. The viburnum is woolly. The plant bed is filling back up with tall green weeds. And the grass is growing over the edge of the sidewalk streetside. The conditions draw much attention in a deeded community, and not the “Yard of the Month” kind of attention.

I Know You Don’t Give a Damn . . .

The results of the experiment yielded a simple truth that I know regarding human nature. One simply cannot wish for something more for another than they wish for themselves.

My mother reinforces this lesson frequently regarding her health. At 77, I desire for her to walk so she may continue to walk. But if she doesn’t give a damn about walking, she is not going to walk. Simple as that.

In this case, I would love to see our neighbor care for the exterior appearance of her home much better than she currently does. But, all indications, by what we observe, point to a simple truth: I know you don’t give a damn about your lawn. I do not express that in a judgmental way. Not at all, just in a straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is kind of way.

I have not gone far enough or deep enough to determine where this falls on the “Don’t Know – Can’t Do – Don’t Care” scale, as described in detail in the book, “Engaging the Head, Heart and Hands of a Volunteer.” I have not invested in analyzing the situation. Nor will I likely in the future. I merely apply Grace, Peace, Forgiveness and Acceptance to the results, again, just as the book describes in its closing pages.            

The Champion Within

So folks, here is how it works. If you desire something better for another in their life, you can offer all the guidance, tools, resources and support needed to achieve a new way, but the new reality will never be realized unless that person desires the same for themselves. They must be their own Champion Within.

Same is true for those who choose to offer their time and talents as a volunteer. Serving your cause and your organization may not be what fans their passion-fires. Or it may. Leaders must take the time to build the relationship, to navigate the steps of the Discovery conversation to find out what stirs in the heart of the individual that compels them to serve. Only then will the insight gained be valuable in aligning the inherent gifts and talents of individuals to work toward meaningful results.

This is a truth that holds at the macro-level, too. I see churches swoop into underserved communities, taking on massive restoration projects to spit-polish a neighborhood. Time and again, the buildings go back to being graffiti-laden, landscape overgrows without maintenance, and trash is strewn in areas recently rendered debris-free. Why does this happen? Well, simple. There is a reason why the area looked that way in the first place. No Champion Within. Nobody who lives there cared enough to clean it up before. So, no matter the overwhelming amount of kindness and God-driven do-goodism, the area is bound to return to its original state.

That is, unless you find a Champion Within. A partner who has a vested interest, a lasting interest, a pillar of that community who will work tirelessly to clean up the space (as opposed to having the do-gooders do it for them), get others involved from within the community to give of their heads, hearts and hands, and create the change they desire to see. And, then sustain it. That is what a Champion Within can do. That is what a Champion Within must do.

At the individual level, people will choose change when they see it as their best option. You can only wish it for them, but you cannot wish it into them. Same goes with volunteers. Those who share their gifts will best do so when their passions are tapped and aligned with the outcomes. And even for entire communities, cities, states, countries and the world, they require Champions Within to create lasting positive change.

Barry Altland is a thought leader, writer, speaker, organizational partner/consultant and expert in the areas of leading and engaging volunteers.

Barry’s current book, “Engaging the Head, Heart and Hands of a Volunteer,” a simple guide for leaders of volunteers to feed the passion of those who choose to serve, has been available in the marketplace since June 2015.

Mr. Altland is honored to work with your organization for workshops, lunch and learns, keynotes and consultative partnership that support leaders of volunteers as they further develop their leadership acumen.

Barry and his wife, Kristy, live in Winter Garden, Florida.

More information may be found at https://HHHEngagement.com.