I live in New York. I’ve been here for 6 years and have always been meaning to volunteer over the holidays. This year, I finally got off my ass and made it happen. Here’s what I’ve gotten out of it, and why you should, too:
- You’ll remember why it’s better to give than receive.
- You’ll feel comparatively lucky. No matter what crap you’re going through in your life right now, what breakup, what job chaos, you’ll spend a day with people who have it way tougher than you. Physical problems, layoffs, drug problems, whatever. There are tons who are struggling with much more than you, and it will help you realize your life is actually a lot easier than many’s.
- You’ll make someone smile. Actually, you’ll probably make many people smile. And it will take less work than you think.
- You’ll find someone who truly thinks you’re amazing. And often just for doing something as simple as pouring them some coffee, or getting them another napkin.
- You’ll realize that it’s only by getting outside of our immediate world that we better learn how to appreciate it.
- You’ll realize how many people are barely holding on, and be more accepting of your own struggles.
- You’ll make a huge difference in someone’s life just by doing something you take for granted every day. By teaching a child how to read better. By helping give someone a clean bed. By carrying someone’s meal to their table. And you’ll think to yourself: why can’t I do this more often?
- You’ll realize: I have a LOT to be grateful for. Why aren’t I more grateful for it?
- You’ll realize that all these people who have nothing are NOT that different from me. They often just had a little more bad luck than I’ve had. And that’s all it took to put them on the streets. And that that could happen to me, too. So I’d better stop being so high on myself, and more accepting of those who’ve fallen on hard times.
- You’ll remember the pleasure of simple, hard work. Of washing dishes for 2 hours. Or sweeping floors, even though you’re now a CEO. Or stacking chairs, vacuuming floors, or just chatting with the less fortunate while they’re in line for dinner. You’ll be grateful to suffer a bit. To crawl again. To not know effortless freedom. To remember what it’s like to feel resistance. And to realize this is still what many people face all the time.
I guarantee you that you will feel it’s the best use of your time you’ve made in years. Before you go see another movie, before you watch another football game with the same old friends, try something different: volunteer. Give an afternoon to help some people who are barely hanging on. It’ll change you. And friends will feel it. But of all, you’ll feel it.
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