I would say I’m a DIY (do-it-yourself) kinda gal. I like to make my own things if I can, rather than spend money to have someone else do it for me. I also like to get things done myself rather than rely on someone else to do it. But I also know what I’m realistically capable of doing (or interested in doing). Decorating my own wedding cake: yes. Singing at my wedding: no. Being on Fear Factor and laying on a bed of worms and snakes: yes. Being on Fear Factor and being chained underwater: no. Teaching a group of people how to knit: yes. Being involved in public speaking or debate: no. The bottom line is, I know my strengths and weaknesses.

I just took a work-related personality test today that asked you to rate your top two job choices out of a group of four occupations. This question repeats 25 times, with the jobs changing each time. I found it humorous that I was choosing jobs like “dairy farmer” and “forester” over “accountant” or “store manager.” Even if none of the jobs appealed to me, I still had to choose my top two. The ones I found myself drawn to were things like writer, reporter, librarian, artist, youth worker, gardener, detective, etc., and I stayed clear of things like engineer, lawyer, manager, accountant–basically anything that deals with managing people and/or math/science topics. I also noticed the jobs I liked were more creative and hands-on.

Yesterday, I found out the Seattle Gulu Walk that Matt and I signed up for is currently sans leader. The person who organized it last year has moved out of Seattle, but the Gulu Walk organization was unaware of this until recently. That person’s name was still listed as the contact for the Seattle area. So a month before the walk, the event is up in the air—yet, we’re determined to do it, even if it’s just both of us, because our friends and family supported us to do this and we want to participate. However, two people walking around to raise awareness of the issue is definitely less impactful than 100 people. Part of me is a little annoyed that the website mentioned a Seattle walk when the contact person/organizer hadn’t even been confirmed. It was just assumed that she would do it again. But the other part remembers that this event is just in its second year, so kinks are still being worked out.

So the choice now is to either just do our own walk (and see if the other people in Seattle want to join us) or actually volunteer to be the official coordinator. I would be up for the challenge, but I think the walk also entails finding speakers, renting equipment and putting on a pre- or post-walk rally. Maybe I’m just not confident in my abilities, but those responsibilities intimidate me. (Remember those managerial jobs that I avoid?) Matt also reminded me that if I were to volunteer, I’d get stuck doing it every year. Not that that should keep me from doing something that I feel strongly about. If I want to get something done, I should do it myself, right? Should I always be waiting for someone more qualified to come around and plan something?

I feel like such a Moses…I want to do something, but I make up excuses about why I can’t be the one to get it done. I’ll think about it some more and see how I can be a part of making this happen—hopefully without becoming the official organizer.