Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.
Jesse Jackson
Later this week I will leave a fantastic job with a wonderful organization, Habitat for Humanity International. Running the global volunteer programs for a major nonprofit is a big job and for the last six years it’s been a privilege to serve both the volunteers and the families we partnered with.
I learned so much, but one of my favorite lessons is the power and importance of sweat.
Something powerful happens when people work on a physical activity together. At Habitat the medium for collaboration was the building and renovation of safe shelter. Relationships and trust were built as walls were raised. The process of creating the shelter was more profound than the product. Its very true and if you have ever labored next to and with someone, then you know its true.
I have seen it every day in the work that I have done for six years. Mind and muscle together is a powerful combination and one that is amazingly appealing and effective in finding solutions to the world’s problems. Sweat helps to bring about reconciliation, renewal and revitalization. Its transformative, it WILL get you change. Working and sweating together allows all concern to walk humbly together as they seek out answers to complex questions. It encourages everyone to give what they can-contribution of labor and time of resources and ability.
I am a firm believer that transformation comes from both education and action. Corporations are changed when their leadership and employees work side by side with local residents. Families are transformed when parents and grandparents garden, paint or cook with children. Communities are transformed when money is raised for band uniforms, or community watch groups are created. A new vision for one’s life can be created through action, through sweat. What before could not be, now miraculously is done.
Sweat shows that we walked the walked, and through our walking we invite others to walk with us. So I say to you in the words of Zora Neale Hurston- Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat!
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How timely this is for me as I leave tomorrow on a mission trip to build houses with 14 other strangers, to build relationships with them and Kenyan citizens, and to build up a supply of renewal for myself.
Working side by side to help others impacts many people in immeasurable ways. I’ll be sweating….and loving every minute of it.
This post was actually written with you and your team in mind. The sweat from you and your team will absolutely bring about change for that community. I say to you all-Sweat, sweat, sweat! Work and sweat, cry and sweat, pray and sweat!
Thank you Desiree! I hope you know how important you are to me xoxo
It seems we have a lot in common. I’m about to leave a national non-profit organization where I’ve been in leadership for the last six years. I have watched people sweat for change in developing countries all over the world.
Congratulations on your journey. I would love to learn more about where you see your path leading. Its an exciting time and like you I have seen communities sweat for change all over the world. Keep fighting the good fight and good luck on your future adventures.
Aww, I’ll be leaving my HFH affiliate next week as well. I’m going to miss it a lot. It’s amazing how rejuvenated and pure you feel when you’ve physically given your all, especially to help someone else. Sweat purges away tension, stress, and worries.
National Service rocks! You have been on the frontline “sweating” everyday and I commend you and honor your service to others.
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