When I tell people that I don’t like awards, honors or recognition they sometimes
get upset with me. “Patricia”, they say, “they’re just trying to show their appreciation for all that you and your organization do for them.”
And the truth is that I am grateful, appreciative and thankful for the praise and the recognition. It’s just that at my very core I am shy (maybe insecure) and I clam up. I don’t know why this is; I just know that it is.
When I started Crime Survivors 13 years ago, I did so to speak on behalf of those who couldn’t fend for themselves. I did it to help alleviate some of the pain and hurt these survivors were feeling. I wanted to bring them through the experience so that they would feel hope and see a brighter future ahead. I wanted them to know that they could indeed survive and thrive. The great surprise was that this type of work has been very satisfying and healing – for myself personally.
So while I recognize on one level that people are trying to express their gratitude, I want them to know that I derive a great amount of satisfaction just doing the work that we do. I think I’ve stated in other blog postings that I have a problem receiving personal presents even for my birthday, and that if I do receive them, that I would put them up for auction. Well . . that did not go over well. I got a lot of push back on that one mostly from dear friends. Again, I don’t know why this is, but it’s probably the same internal mechanism at work.
I have no problem however shoveling out praise, and, we at Crime Survivors sponsor an Awards Banquet once a year to honor certain individuals who have acted honorably and/or with great distinction. We also honor, recognize or acknowledge, and memorialize others throughout the year. When we do, we feel they are well deserved and we take great joy in doing so.
Personally, I am very grateful for the support and collaboration that I have from my sponsors and vendors and fellow Board members. I/we are truly grateful to all our volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents. I/we try to express our appreciation and gratitude every chance /we get. My heart is filled with gratitude and I am grateful to God for my family and close friends and I try to express that every chance I get.
I know people who measure the success of their enterprise by the likes or hits they get on social media. I guess it’s an indicator of sorts and it reminds me of when politicians use opinion polls to gauge whether or not they will stand on an issue or not. At what point though do your core beliefs and values come into play? And at what point do opinion polls and awards and recognition become hogwash. I do the work that we do because I enjoy it and because I feel it’s important work. I am grateful and feel blessed that I/we have been given the opportunity to do this work.
My friends, I leave you with this quote that sat on President Reagan’s desk throughout his presidency:
“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
Remember, with faith there is hope! Make it a great day!
P.W.
Patricia Wenskunas
