What often happens is that you either scrap the idea or you do it and things don't go the way that you want them to go.
Being that I've been a party decor "magician", a caterer and event planner, for many years, I've felt sorry for people and offered to help them for a nominal fee, otherwise known as free or darn-near next to nothing.
Because on the real side of things, unless you've been at this a long time and worked at it, to get the chops to be really good at this, there' s pretty much absolutely no way most people would ever have the same end result that I (and others that know what I know and do what I do) basically can conjure up, effortlessly.
What's shocking in all of this is, after offering to help, not one person took me up on it. Apparently, they didn't check to find out what I was offering to do, that really would have been a help to them. A simple trip to my website (this was just before the old site came down, to prepare for the new one that is currently being designed) or checking out my bio, sets the record straight.
Here's the thing...
I'm a service-minded type of person who genuinely likes to and wants to help people. And I don't want to make this a tale about the sad state of how people think and operate, for my offer was really about generosity, specifically mine. But here's what I've gotten from all of this.
I've been gainfully working and gratefully choosing what I want to work on. So that old adage, "One person can make a difference", even if you don't take them up on it, is true.
During times like this, well - it's the time when we should consider the way that we treat one another. When you use a time like this, where you blatantly see the tough time that people are having and what people are going through, to look back at what looks like almost a lifetime of mean-spiritedness, one-upmanship, and greed -- well, it's no wonder that it's practically impossible to rejigger one's self to become open-minded and kinder, if even kind at all. The reality is, kindness truly can be learned, just like ignoring people and helplessness. But you know it's all relative.
Genuine kindness and wanting to help people can be seriously demanding.
But, "You reap what you sow". And silly me, I wanted to help people to forget their current lot in life for a minute and have a little slice of happiness -- you know, like a sense that this too shall pass and that in time things will come together and they'll get eventually back on their feet. Yet, the mere act of reaching out to these people - some who can barely afford a potato chip and Twinkie, let alone a decent-quality party, was restorative for me as much as it could have been for them.
Because the real deal is that at the end of the day we have more in common than we all realize; we all need to have a little fun here and there, and make plans to do things, and work - not just for the money, though certainly that, but also to keep our sense of identity and purpose.
I'm being completely sincere when I say that while you can be fearful of what a giver is really up to, consider that there are several "givers" out there, if not more, who will help you out, doing jobs that could have been done to help you.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.
Seriously, if you know a person who is telling you that they'll help you and all that you have to do is pay for your stuff, the best thing you can do is let them. Or, in this case, have the party. Because the nice thing is that a party, when your friends and family don't have it in their budget to have one, presents you with an opportunity to be generous while somewhat economically stimulating something positive along the way too.
So give. Share. Be kind - to others and yourself.
And... "Never look a gift-horse in the mouth".
A horse's age is commonly gauged by the state of its teeth. The proverb warns against questioning the quality or use of a lucky chance or gift. Cf. [a 420 St. Jerome Commentary on Epistle to Ephesians] Preface noli‥ut vulgare proverbium est, equi dentes inspicere donati, do not, as the common proverb says, look at the teeth of a gift horse.*
* - From Answers.com
Image source: Wikipedia
Advantages of a recession, Brand building during a recession, Catering, Business, Event Planning and Production, Business Services, Parties, Consultants, Event planning, United States: Technorati Tags
Related Articles:
What You Should Know About Becoming a Catering or Event Planning ...
How to Plan the Perfect Corporate Event or Corporate Party: Help ...
Creating a Personal Brand for Your Party
Aspiring Caterers and Party Planners: You're Going to Make It ...
Party Spy: Corporate Parties 101
Lucky Eleven Party Concepts
Event Planning: Transform a small space into a small wonder ...
The World's Most Expensive Party
Hosting a Dinner Party at Home
How to Host an Outdoor Dinner Party
The Moroccan Theme Wedding Reception
Articles Recommended by Cater-Hater & Zemanta
- A Birthday Salute to the Twinkie (vinessetoday.com)
- Guest Party Bloggers (carloatyourservice.com)
- Care about the Guests that Attend your Party? (carloatyourservice.com)
- Top Party Planning Tips (carloatyourservice.com)
- Identity Theft: Why your Party Identity is Important for YOU to Control (carloatyourservice.com)
Special Offers for Cater-Hater Subscribers!
>>Your Email Address... No Spam. I Promise.';} " name="email" value=">>>Your Email Address... No Spam. I Promise." id="awf_field-35516496" onfocus=" if (this.value == '>>>Your Email Address... No Spam. I Promise.') { this.value = ''; }" type="text" class="text" tabindex="500" />