Well, I am off the mark as they say. It's a good feeling. I have heard tales of fundraisers going two or three weeks before getting their first standing orders, so I am glad to be spared that tension. We had a day and a half of `Focusing' workshop yesterday and today. That really helped with my fundraising efforts this evening. [Focusing is a kind of guided or directed way of listening to yourself and tuning in to how you are in a deeper way. See www.livingfocusing.co.uk for more info.] I experienced my communication with the people answering the doors as qualitatively better tonight. I was more present and comfortable with myself, the householders had more time for me and I had more time for them. The `nos' and the `no thank yous' seemed more friendly.
The place where I got my first standing order was a rather unique and idiosyncratic cottage on the edge of town. There were several personalised features in the porch and garden, for example the name sign hanging above the door was painted on a large mock-up of a saw, complete with jagged teeth. Even the way the car was parked in the drive seemed unusual. The woman who answered the door last week said she already supported several charities (a lot of people say that), but she took a booklet anyway. When I called back a few days ago she had a terrible migraine, so I said I'd come back another day.
So tonight was the third time I knocked on her door, and it turned out to be third time lucky. She said she felt very sympathetic to Karuna's work and to Buddhism. She wanted to give, but said she couldn't manage £15 per month (which is what she thought was implied as the minimum contribution in the booklet). I pointed out that even five pounds per month would support literacy classes for a dozen women, and she ended up signing for £10 per month. I found it all rather beautiful and humbling and unlikely.
When I got back to the ranch two of the others had each pulled in £25 per month worth of standing orders, so it felt extra good for us all to go into the shrine room and transfer any merits we'd gained.
