Today, I volunteered at my school to help elderly people play a simple game of croquet. It was so fun, and taught me a lot more than I was expecting.

Whether you volunteer to help kids play a recreational sport, pick up trash throughout your neighborhood, or put a smile on an elderly person's face, volunteering can change your outlook on life for the better.

You learn to appreciate every good thing in your life. I believe that a lot of times, we as a generation become so unaware of the little talents, abilities and opportunities we are given. Although I am apart of this community that doesn't recognize or appreciate those attributes in life, I hope to change this outlook in the near future, thanks to volunteering.

Watching a woman at the age of 80, who can barely walk without assistance, enjoy and celebrate the fact that she can simply socialize with different people than what normally surrounds her, warms my heart. Why don't we see that communication with whoever in our lives, is such an awesome experience? We should never take for granted people who care for you, or even reach out to say hello. Those are the people you want to keep in your life.

As an active young person, I take for granted things like running, the capability of remembering how to play a complicated game or sport, and many more "natural" abilities. After talking to someone with Alzheimer's disease, it's incredible to see how those people live day-to-day. Not remembering something they were taught 2 minutes ago, to sometimes not remembering their own family members, made me realize that I shouldn't expect to already have those capabilities, but to enjoy the fact that I do have them.

I could talk forever about how volunteering today changed my life for the better, but you won't feel the same way without actually volunteering. I challenge each and every one of my friends, colleagues, family members, as well as strangers to reach out into your community. Volunteer, and change your life.