I have always been the type of person who wanted to help as many people as I could. Doing good for others makes me happy and community service has shaped me into a better version of myself than I was a few years ago. The word 'community' is not taken seriously anymore. It's more than just a place — it's a feeling. Seeing people today disengaged from involving themselves in community service breaks my heart, because it truly is an amazing experience and I have several theories as to why this is happening.
1. It's required.
Young people are notorious for doing the exact opposite of whatever they're told to do. When you make it a requirement for them to complete community service, it takes the good intention out of it. You should serve out of the kindness of your heart, not because an authority figure said you had to do it. Kids aren't going to learn how to put others before themselves this way.
2. You don't get something out of it.
Unfortunately, we live in a world full of people who don't want to help unless there's some kind of reward for it. A simple smile or thank you just isn't enough. It's hard, I know. There are probably a million other things you could do on a Saturday than help out in an animal shelter or children's hospital, but people don't realize how much of an impact one person can make.
3. It's not 'cool'.
This is the one statement that gets under my skin. In a world full of people who are doing everything in their power to fit in to the normal standards, why can't you be the person to stand out and make a difference? It's much more fulfilling to serve someone in need than to spend the day walking around with a group of friends laughing and making jokes at a person who needs help.
4. "I don't have time."
This is the saddest excuse I have ever heard. No person is truly busy enough to not be able to squeeze in 30 minutes of their day to help someone. Remember when you were a kid and your parents would take off work early just so they could get you and your friends to the ball game on time? Remember when your teacher stayed in with you at recess to help you with your homework instead of grading that massive stack of papers? This is the same situation. You're never to busy to do community service. It all comes down to a matter of priorities.
Helping someone is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. Community service builds character. It builds relationships. It tears down the walls between social classes and, most importantly, it relieves some of the pain that people carry with them every day. It's not a matter of why you do it or when or even how. You should take time out of your life to do a good deed without expecting anything in return. And who knows? It may change you for the better.
