by Stacy Zemon
Over the weekend, Hurricane Irene headed up the East Coast through numerous states, causing evacuations and distress to many individuals, communities and businesses.
The storm caused severe devastation to the environment, property, animals and people. Many citizens experienced shock, anxiety and trauma before, during and after the event. In one way or another, we were all affected.
Personally, I was lucky. Although I prepared for the worst, there was no major damage where I live in NJ. I’d experienced my first earthquake a few days earlier and that was scary enough, thank you very much.
Disasters of many types can strike anywhere and at anytime. In my opinion it’s not so much about what happens to us as it is how we respond to what happens that determines our attitude and outlook. In many cases it is the struggles we go through that help shape our character and make us stronger. Here’s a story to illustrate my point.
The Butterfly Story
A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared stuck.
The man decided to help the butterfly and with a pair of scissors he cut open the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man watched the butterfly expecting it to take on its correct proportions. But nothing changed.
The butterfly stayed the same. It was never able to fly. In his kindness and haste the man did not realize that the butterfly’s struggle to get through the small opening of the cocoon is nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight.
Like the sapling which grows strong from being buffeted by the wind, in life we all need to struggle sometimes to make us strong.
What You Can Do to Help Hurricane Victims
9/11 taught us that we humans naturally band together when a tragedy occurs. Thousands of people all across the country and from every walk of life volunteered in some capacity to help the victims of that catastrophe. Post Hurricane Irene, many hear the call to “DO” something.
If you are among this group, here are a couple of suggestions for what you can do. Encourage your DJs and other staff members to volunteer at the Red Cross or other organization that is helping to aid victims in some manner. You could also offer your DJ services at a fundraiser in your community.
Why Giving is Good for Us
Both psychologists and neuroscientists have identified several ways that giving makes us more effective and successful. Helping others not only makes us feel good about ourselves, but it can also increase our physical well-being.
- Research by the University of Oregon has found that volunteerism stimulates the parts of the brain that areassociated with meeting basic needs, which suggests to researchers that our brains know that giving is good for us.
- A study by Cornell University found that volunteering increases a person’s energy, sense of mastery over life and self-esteem.
- Studies have demonstrated that positive feelings about yourself can actually strengthen and enhance your immune system.
- Research has shown that people are often elevated by others into positions of leadership after they are witnessed behaving charitably.
“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment. It’s not what we get but who we become and what we contribute that gives meaning to our lives.”
- Tony Robbins
Stacy Zemon - Publisher and Chief Scribe
Stacy Zemon is internationally considered a leading authority and leader in the DJ industry. She has reached an audience of millions as a Radio, Club, Karaoke and Mobile Disc Jockey.
Stacy’s work as a Writer, Author and Publisher have enabled her to spawn the largest number of DJ business owners in the world!
She is author of the world’s best-selling DJ books: The Mobile DJ Handbook, The DJ Sales & Marketing Handbook and The Mobile DJ MBA, and was a longtime writer for DJ Times magazine.
Stacy is also the Founder & President of DJ Video Network – Internet TV for DJs, by DJs.
Her mission is to provide educational resources for DJs that support their professional growth and financial prosperity.
Write to her c/o [email protected] or call 877-442-7170.
For the longer version of Stacy’s story, click here. To learn about the business services she provides for other DJs, click here.
