The fun is in the action

By Jeff Becraft

There is a real camaraderie that happens when you work together, when you work side by side with others, shoulder to shoulder. Something happens in a relationship that doesn’t happen if you are just sitting around talking. It’s not that talking and visiting is not good, and you can build relationships on that, but when you actually work together and you are doing something together, and you’re trying to accomplish a common goal, there’s something that happens that develops camaraderie. (There’s a lot of “somethings” in those last sentences.) It is something (there’s that word again) that is at a whole different level.

Obviously, I can’t totally describe it. Because if I could, I would stop saying “something.” But I have experienced it.

People who work together on something (a project or task) develop a deeper relationship than those who simply attend something.

Both our daughters went through Youth Corps and when I asked Corrie at the end of her year (she went through in year 4) what she got out of it, she responded, “What I got out of Youth Corps is that the fun is in the action.” And that instantly became a motto of Youth Corps. I would tell people it was a statement by a YC alumni… I never told them it was Corrie because I didn’t want them to think I was simply quoting it because she was our daughter.

It is striking when someone is able to capture in words something that is important to you or is an important principle in your life but you have never quite been able to verbalize it in such a clear and succinct manner. In that short statement – the fun is in the action – Corrie summed all that went on in Youth Corps.

And it is true in all areas of life. The fun is in the action.

Being a spectator and just showing up cannot even approach the thrill of being in the action.  And when the blood, sweat, and tears of that action is happening linked side by side with other people, there is a depth of fun and relationship and relevance that goes much deeper than simply observing.

It is also amazing how much can be accomplished when we work together.

So with that in mind, it is a great day to link arms with others and work towards a worthy goal… especially to help other people. There is just something that happens during those times.

Jeff Becraft is the Director of Our Place of Hope and the Director Emeritus for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives. Our Place of Hope is a paradigm shift for people living with mental illness that encourages them to regain meaning, purpose, and hope for their lives. You can connect with Jeff at  [email protected].