Hello Pat --

I think you've done an excellent job of providing contrast between the non-volunteering mindset (mine) and the giving volunteer mindset (you.)

The place where you are coming from is not "charity" in the sense that it is usually used -- and which I used when I said people in my neighborhood were more likely to be the objects of "charity."

What you describe is that intense involvement in community -- community that encompasses the entire human community, and animals and nature, "gaia" as some naturalists call this holistic vision of Mother Earth. It strikes at the heart of what many of us long for and only get intimations of in shows such as Cheers and Friends, which was actually the show I meant, but Cheers depicted it, too.

It is that desire for community that the Sufis talk about, but I to to prayer and do not seem somehow inserted into the "community" in some vital way. I am "here" and "not here." Always a bit apart.

I had thought of moving to Austin this summer, and I may yet. There is a very large and active Sufi commuity there, and I know people in it. My impression is that Austin is much more dog-friendly. I yearn to have a dog again. Who knows? Perhaps I shall be piling in on you some day. Actually, I'm not the "piling in on" type. Rather reserved, in fact. Don't panic about having a guest before you have a home! I have other contacts. Wink, grin.

In sum, you really presented what I was getting at -- that our earliest experiences shape our world view. If it was one of giving, of being in community, we will carry that forward. If it was one of, "Money is hard to come buy, so I dang well better get paid for this," it is very challenging to shed that snakeskin and find the community I long for.

Thanks as well, Myzen, Fury, for your thoughtful replies.