Personal Story:
Flooded with Inspiration
by Jackie Dumaine
June 28th, 2013. It all started off as a typical Friday morning for me. Cup of coffee, check email, post on facebook, go for a run. I had no idea what was about to take place that day and how it would forever change me.
A little perspective for you:
I moved to Calgary in May of 1995 from Winnipeg and in my 18 years as a Calgarian I’ve had many amazing experiences and have met some incredible people. However, something was always missing.
I’ve never really felt comfortable calling it “Home”. Like the new kid in school who just can’t seem to make close friends, I’ve always felt a little out of place.
Until that Friday morning.
On the morning of June 28th, 2013 I felt compelled to post the following on facebook & twitter:
In this moment, you have everything you need to make a difference.
I didn’t think much of it as it was typical for certain quotes and sentiments to simply “come to me” in any given moment and I usually make a point of posting them while I’m inspired to do so. My thoughts are that if I’m inspired by it then chances are someone else may be as well.
I left the house and went for a run in the trees.
Upon my return, I felt an unusual heavy and clouded energy surrounding me. The word sad would be a simple yet accurate word to describe my sudden darkness.
Sitting on the centre cushion of my sofa, staring at a wall of books, I began to cry. Sob. Uncontrollably.
I began to think of what had just happened in my city a week earlier.
Southern Alberta including Calgary was devastated on the weekend of June 21st by raging flood waters, now known as the greatest natural disaster in Canadian history.
I won’t go into details as we’ve all seen the surreal images of destruction on the news and across social media. These images impacted me deeply and I immediately knew that I wanted to be directly involved, helping in some way.
I decided that I would donate money to the Canadian Red Cross for each student who came to my post-flood Monday night yoga class (I ended up raising $400 for the Red Cross thanks to my dear friend Sarah Sikander & Encana matching the raised funds!).
Although I know cold hard cash is always needed in disaster situations, it didn’t seem like enough for me. I wanted to be hands on in helping.
So, what did I do about it?
Nothing. I continued to watch the news. Watching it through a screen seemed to be “safe”.
I believe that deep down I was afraid. I was afraid to see what had happened just down the hill from my home. I was afraid to see the destruction. I was afraid that I couldn’t be of service.
Until that Friday morning.
Sitting on my couch, sobbing for what seemed to be absolutely no good reason at all, it hit me.
“Just do SOMETHING.”
I got up and decided I would go buy food and water and distribute it to the hard-hit community of Mission. I had no plan, I had no idea where I would go but I was going.
I wiped the tears away, grabbed my keys and headed off to buy supplies. I was indeed on a mission.
Armed with healthy snacks of oranges, apples, mini-cucumbers, dates and water I drove through the streets looking for hungry volunteers to feed.
Emotions strangled me.
Was I in Calgary or a war-torn country?
Devastation surrounded me.
With construction vehicles everywhere, there was nowhere for me to stop and I simply felt that I was “in the way”. But I needed to do something with this food.
After stopping a friendly yet exhausted looking Red Cross representative, I was told to drop off my donation at the Mission headquarters tent. I drove off.
I pulled into the HQ area – slowly, uneasy, afraid, doubting myself (Did I buy enough carrots!? Should I have brought sandwiches instead!?)
A gentleman walked up to my window and upon expressing that I had food to drop off he immediately asked: “I hope you have fruit or veggies”. WIN! My fear instantly disappeared. Phew.
He then helped me unload my car as we took the food to the designated spot.
(wondering where this story is going? Hang in there).
After a brief introduction and mutual expression of gratitude, Ashif and I shook hands and I walked back to my vehicle.
But I couldn’t go anywhere.
Unable to back up due to a truck blocking my way I decided to get out and chat with Ashif.
(The truck blocking me was a food delivery truck – which picked up food from the Mission HQ then delivered to the volunteers in the various neighborhoods.)
The prevention of my departure due to this delivery truck was not an accident. Stay with me here.
Ashif was taking care of logistics for the Mission HQ – which officially became coined as #MissionPossible with Alderman John Mar leading the way.
I asked him what else they needed for supplies.
“We need work gloves”. Was his instant reply.
“Okay, I’ll tweet it out and mention . What else do you need?”.
“You know how to use twitter?”. His eyes lit up.
“Um…yeah, you could say I’m somewhat versed in social media”.
I then realized there wasn’t anyone maximizing the use of twitter to send out request for supplied and other volunteer needs.
My solution was simple: “Ashif, I’ll give you my cell number and simply text me when you need something. I’ll tweet it out”.
And so began my journey of volunteering for the MissionPossible volunteer headquarters and YYChelps.
The response on twitter was nothing short of a miracle.
Twitter post:
Mission HQ needs ice. Please drop off at Mission Safeway parking lot. #yychelps #missionpossible
45 minutes after posting this tweet, someone showed up with bags of ice.
I spent time at home responding to Ashif’s texts and I spent time “on location” in my makeshift “Twitter Headquaters”. Sitting in my sun drenched blue lawn chair equipped with my iPad, I tweeted and Calgarians responded.
This continued all weekend long. I would tweet, and poof – someone would show up with what was needed. Miracles. One after another after another.
Angels responding to the call.
Okay, I’m getting to the message now (thanks for hanging in there).
This twitter-fest led to me becoming a member of the YYCHelps volunteer team.
It is my belief that it was not a coincidence that I was inspired to write the quote I did that morning on facebook
In this moment you have everything you need to make a difference.
Putting this energy “out there” began the process of what was to come that day, even if I didn’t know it at the time.
It was not an accident that the food delivery trucked blocked my way, causing me to remain there and talk with Ashif.
My service duty wasn’t done after unloading the food donation and Mrs. Universe wanted to make sure I didn’t leave before she gave me my assignment.
This, my friends is how a Divine intervention unfolds.
This experience humbled me to the core.
During that weekend, I was intimately reunited with a part of me that I had forgotten about. The part that didn’t wear the label of life coach or writer or speaker or yoga teacher.
During that unforgettable weekend, I was a human being. I was a living breathing soul whose only role was to be of service.
What I witnessed that weekend will be forever etched in my mind, heart and soul.
The display of humanity, care and selflessness was overwhelming.
The sense of community and friendship and giving was uplifting.
People coming together as strangers and leaving as friends with a common bond.
For the first time in my 18 years of living here, I am proud to call Calgary – Home.
* * * * * *
It has been just over a month since the flood and help is still needed. If you’ve got the feeling that you would like to help, please visit www.yychelps.ca for volunteer opportunities. Follow them at on twitter.
Thank you to the thousands of volunteers who have helped and continue to help rebuild our city and our province. Thank you to the incredible Mayor Naheed Nenshi who smiled through it all and napped when he could no longer stand. To those who have lost their homes and have been directly affected by the floods, your strength to persevere inspires us all.
* * * * *
We can ALL contribute in so many ways to causes we care about. We can get up off the couch, and just do SOMETHING.
You never know where that something could lead to. You may even find yourself in the process.
Do you have a volunteer story to share? How did it change you?
Jackie Dumaine is a yoga-inspired life coach, speaker and transformational guide. Visit her blog at: http://www.jackiedumaine.com/
