Volunteering: formally defined as freely offering to do something. This concept has retained a bad rep because it is engulfed by the word “free," as in there is no reward and nothing in return. However, I would have to disagree. Volunteer work is the most important and rewarding work anyone can do. The key word is anyone; no matter your age, skill set, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, level of education, or any other factor you can volunteer. By doing so, you are building character and enhancing the meaning of your life. I know that I was not a huge fan of volunteer work as a kid because it usually involved early mornings or long afternoons of soup kitchens, coat drives, bake sales, or tutoring. At the time, I did not appreciate the work I was doing as I did not see it as important or meaningful to my life. I knew I was helping others, which is a good thing, but I didn’t think it was impacting me.
Now, I see what volunteering has done for me as a person. It has molded my personality to think of others before myself and to give before receiving. Volunteering has granted me the opportunity to better the lives of others who are less fortunate than me and to realize how grateful I am for the life I live. It is the internal reward that volunteer work provides that makes me want to get involved in any way that I can now. Whether it’s simply making someone’s day a little bit better or enhancing the overall quality of their life, there is no greater feeling than that of helping someone. The benefits of volunteer work go far beyond that day, as they carry over into other aspects of your life and become part of your daily routine. You may quickly find yourself holding the door for others or giving up your seat on the metro. Don’t freak out, the world isn’t ending. You’re just becoming a better person.
(Thanks to my awesome Dad for this article topic and inspiration)