Greetings Rotary Passport Club Member!

 

This week’s message is a thought provoking one applicable to any season, but one that could have implications this holiday season.

 

KARMA or SANTA – Which do you believe in more? – Events of the past week made me think of this message. For those of you who do not share a Facebook connection with me, I posted a picture (something I really don’t do as often as you might think) featuring my car wearing a huge scratch down the side from someone who decided it would be fun to run a key down my car and destroy my paint job. I received many comments on the post, many having to do with Karma catching up with the perpetrator.  Those comments made me think of two stories regarding helping people and Karma.

 

Story 1 – Saying Your There to Help…But Who Are You Helping Really? – For those of you who know me and my wife well, you know that three years ago, she used to be an avid runner, having run several half marathons.  After experiencing pain in her lower back, she discovered that she had a herniated disc.  A Folsom chiropractor claimed that he could help using “state of the art” decompression therapy, but he only accepted patients he knew he had a “99% probability of success” based on his “vast experience and expertise”.  After “being accepted” into his program, spending $10,000 with him, and dutifully going through his entire program, a follow up MRI showed not only no change, but a further deterioration in lower back muscle.  What followed was no apology,  no money back, and no suggestion on what to do next other than to spend the same money over and try it again.  We declined.  We learned later that his “pre-qualification consultation” was all an act.  Good sales theater to close the deal.  There was no screening.  There was no true pre-qualification.  Everyone who could pay was accepted, and equally fleeced whether he helped them or not.  My wife an I ran into a former employee of his this morning, and found out that the doctor met with a terrible diving accident, broke his back and is now paralyzed.  His business has been shuttered.

 

Story 2 – Just Helping Because it’s the Right Thing To Do – Prior to Rotary, I was an active member of the Active 20-30 Club of Sacramento, a young men’s organization whose mission was to raise money and help the children of Sacramento.  One of our annual premiere hands-on events was buying Christmas presents and having Santa brought to the Children’s Cancer Center at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.  This event was incredibly rewarding and rarely left a dry eye by those of us who interacted with the kids, handed out gifts, and sang Christmas carols.  I loved this event and supported it every year.  After about 6 years in the club, my son, Joseph, who was 2 ½ got his femur broken in a day care center in Roseville.  Though Sutter Roseville could have handled him, they suggested that he be transferred to the UC Davis Medical Center because of their expertise in setting such fractures in young children.  After an ambulance ride my son enjoyed to the fullest, we were checked in.  Within the first half hour of my son being in his hospital bed, a children’s social specialist came to the room to offer a blanket and assistance.  She soon recognized me from my participation in the Christmas Cancer Parties.  Within an instant, she left and came back with three blankets, all specially embroidered, and several books, which she stayed and read to my son to comfort him.  I didn’t expect this type of special treatment from giving of my time to children who deserved it, but having my son be the recipient of extra comfort during a traumatic time was incredibly welcome.

 

And the Moral of the Story - As you can probably tell from my stories, I believe in Karma.  I see it in action all the time.  And I don’t necessarily live my life to avoid her bad side.  But, in choosing to live my life the way I do, in service to others, it’s nice to know that when I need her and least expect her to show up, she does, maybe not in obvious ways, but she gives me what I need to keep my faith in people and humanity.

 

TURN IN Service Reports for October – In January, I will be posting a progress report on our member’s quest to “Save Lives” through their community service hours and donations.  The only way I can accurately do that is to have members submit their hours to me at michaelreinero@yahoo.com.  If you haven’t yet found your groove in service, don’t fret.  There are tons of opportunities coming your way this holiday season.  Check our Upcoming Events calendar often and keep your eyes open.  Many people need help this season and we are just the group to give it to them.

 

That’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your week!

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

President Mike