Roofer Falls From a Mediocre Job Helping Only His Boss and Himself to a "Serving Others" Position.

July 19, 2010 - PRLog -- This would be the beginning of my autobiography if I was ever to write one. The reason I said “fall” is because I came upon my position at The J.C. Coleman Foundation by falling into God’s grace, mercy, and love. It was a job that I didn’t deserve but gratefully, humbly, and thankfully fell into. I had spent 15 years doing a job that I hated only just for the money. Today I have a purpose in my life. I have found happiness helping others. You may think I am crazy but I have found happiness, joy and humility by asking myself “What can I do today to help someone else without expecting something back.” In actuality, I get more than enough satisfaction from the sincere appreciation I receive from the people I help with planned and random acts of kindness.

My duties here at The J.C. Coleman Foundation, Inc. are to serve as office manager, fundraising coordinator, health care administrator, corporate sponsorship chairman, and gardener. I am blessed to wear a lot of hats here at the Foundation. Sometimes I am allowed the privilege of helping the kids we assist. I try to help the teenagers by trying to serve as a mentor. I wake up every day ready to go to work now. I always dreaded going to my roofing job. I am so grateful for my job now. If you would like to see the results of our hard work please go to our website: www.jccolemanfoundation.org.

If I have found one thing that is true in this life, it is the fact that we are here on this earth to give something, not to get something. Our work is to discover what is within ourselves that is worthy of giving, and then giving it. We have to give up on the concept of the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I and swallow our pride.

There are lots of simple ways to serve. When we are not self-absorbed in the “me” syndrome, we see when something is needed and understand that responding to that with an attitude of service enriches the whole environment. Service is bringing a little more joy into everybody’s life. It’s a wonderful thing.

If you are wondering why you might not be happy, take a look inside and realize that if you want to be happy, all you have to do is help others. Remember that happiness is an “inside job and faith can move mountains”. Just don’t forget to bring a shovel! God is good all the time!

I have been working at the Foundation about two months after its inception. I started on December 18, 2008 after giving my roofing boss a two week notice. I really, at first, didn’t have a lot of knowledge about managing the office. I had worked in the retail furniture business prior to becoming a roofer, so I had a general idea concerning payroll and bookkeeping, but the concept of not making a profit AND helping people made me feel like out of place. However, I felt it was God’s will that I do this job. The transition was smooth only because of my co-workers. I learned a lot in a very short time and as I have grown into this job, I have finally realized what my purpose is. The smiles and laughter of the children tell me I’m in the right place.

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About The J.C. Coleman Foundation, Inc. the mission is to improve academic achievement and the attitude toward academics of at-risk adolescents through a variety of creative, innovative, non-traditional and collaborative support services.