Okay, I've been trying to better articulate why I do what I do, and some of that crystallized in my brain an hour prior to writing this.
I work with the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, not as a veteran, merely a board member and advisor re social media. My work, well, it's not
such a big deal. (IAVA is a big deal, working with the current Administration to genuinely support the troops, with considerable success.)
They talk about troops under fire, and the mutual assurance that "I got your back."
I can't aspire to that level of brotherhood, not having served, and you should be grateful I've never handled automatic weapons or anything bigger than a .22.
I consistently aspire to that level of mutual protection and interdependence in my customer service work and my public service work. That is, I can't literally support my cumulative community, which in the US alone is well over 100 million.
However, my attitude, on a gut level, is that I got your back, and I mean you, if you're reading this.
My deal is that I have a life-long commitment to significant customer service. I also feel the same way about my idea of public service, focusing on how to enlist my cumulative community, my constituency, for the common good.
Each and every day, I follow through with that combined commitment. You'll notice that my social media work focuses on promoting the work of others, or amusing myself. (Twitter: #squirrel.) Occasionally, I'll do something to defend my community.
It's hard to count, but I'm probably putting in 30-40 hours of customer service per week, and the same for public service.
I can only do the best I can, and it's working.
I got your back.