THE THIRD MAN STORY
There is an old story that captures the three main philosophies of life. We call it The Third Man. It expresses the essence of what BuddyTime is all about.
A lone traveler is attacked by robbers who beat him and leave the guy for dead. Other travelers happen along. Two religious types see the man's plight and step to the other side of the road and hurry on. Yet, strangely, when a social outcast draws near and sees the tragic situation he cleans up the victim's wounds, places him on his beast and heads for the nearest place of care. There he asks the medical folk to tend to the stranger, promising that when he returns he'll pay whatever amount is yet outstanding beyond the cash he gives them now.
THREE PHILOSOPHIES
THE THUGS...WHAT'S YOURS IS MINE...IF I CAN JUST GET MY HANDS ON IT.
THE UNCOMPASSIONATE TWO...WHAT'S MINE IS MINE...IF I CAN JUST KEEP MY HANDS ON IT.
THE THIRD MAN...WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS IF YOU NEED IT, AND I'LL TRY TO DO MORE IF YOU NEED THAT TOO.
At the core of BuddyTime is the longing to be a 'Third Man'.
Imagine what a town or community would be like if everybody held to the idea that 'what's mine is mine' or 'what's yours is mine'. And what a transformation would come to any town, family or neighborhood if even a bunch of people started living as though 'what is mine is yours'.
BuddyTime gathers men, women and children together to encourage Third Man living. From the Camaraderie shared in meetings to Character Conversations and Compassion Projects...it is all about touching lives with intentional generosity.
BENEFITS OF BUDDYTIME? Plenty of folk would like to help make the world a better place but need encouragement, assistance and partnership. And how many parents would like to teach their offspring to be givers and not takers? Testimonies come our way of the deep joy that accompanies the completion of Compassion Campaigns. Friendships are cultivated, morale is boosted and many report a deep satisfaction from serving others. When individuals analyze their attitudes and behaviors in light of the Third Man story it becomes easier to see the benefits to all concerned with we live the 'what's mine is yours' way.
SO WHAT DOES A BUDDYTIME MEETING LOOK LIKE?
CAMARADERIE 5 Minutes Typically, groups get together or about an hour every week or two. The first order of interest is simply the enjoyment of each other's presence. Spend a few minutes with 'how ya doing' matters. Friendship talk is the launching point.
CHARACTER CONVERSATIONS 15-20 minutes Somebody has agreed to print an article from this website ("Conversation Starters") for everybody. You may want to rotate this responsibility from meetng to meeting. The articles all focus on character traits. Read the article together and discuss the two or three questions at the bottom of the page. Keeping these traits in mind is a good way to set our sights high for living lives of solid character.
COMPASSIONATE ACTION Ah, here is a time of reflection on opportunites we've had to practice Third Man living in the previous week. Did 'what's mine is your's' characterize my interactions with others. Talk about it.
This is also the time plan your Compassion project...a 5-7 week campaign of generous service. How can we make the world a better place by combining our skills and time? If you are already into a project we can now discuss how the work is going'?
POSSIBLE COMPASSION PROJECTS
- Paint a house, garage or barn
- Lawn mowing, flower bed tending, weed pulling, general clean up
- Find out how you can serve the local library, police force or fire station
- Work with a nursing home or care facility to render service to their residents
- Repair a fence (install a fence), clean the patio of a foster home
- Volunteer your services to a Gospel Mission or Halfway House
- Ask a Senior Center for names of people who need help. Offer services appropriate to your group (painting, repairs, cleaning, yard work, window washing, change air filters, carpet cleaning, etc.
- Put on a food drive to help the local food bank
- Go door to door and ask if folk know of somebody who could use your care
- Look around at your own families and neighbors and identify projects that your group could tackle
- Use your imagination
The whole idea of BuddyTime is strengthening friendships which, when challenged, make the World (or at least somebody's world) a better place.
Yours for touching the world with compassion and generosity,
Jim Larsen, Oregon, USA