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Here we are, once again, and suddenly the holidays are here! This holiday season, let’s do something for others who are less fortunate than us. I promise, you will gain much more than you give. Helping others reach for a new day rejuvenates us in ways that another margarita-soaked vacation, more stuff, a fatter resume, or a supersized house can’t begin to. We want to feel useful. We want to find meaning. We want to feel alive and on fire with possibility. Your Anxiety and Depression are Eased Giving back helps others reach for a better day. But the delightful dividend? Volunteering helps you reach greater states of happiness and hope. You experience a potent euphoria known as “helper’s high.” This sense of usefulness, optimism and meaning can banish your brooding thoughts and clear out the cobwebs in your minds. Why? For one thing, giving back helps you stop fixating on your troubles and propels you to feel empowered and confident that you can make a difference. Your Overall Health and Joy are Boosted “There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.” – Bernard Meltzer When you’re generous to others, you’re generous to yourself. Your entire being undergoes a feel-good transformation at the cellular level when you support others, which boosts everything from your psychological outlook to heart and immune system. You Can Connect With a Cool Community Service work automatically connects you with an infectious, can-do community of kindred volunteers. Your Job Performance Improves People who volunteer are resourceful, creative, and have incredible staying power on the job. You Sharpen Your Skills and Attract Employers Even as unemployment spikes in the country, we’re seeing a surge in volunteering. Many of us are concluding that while we’re seeking a job, we want to roll up our sleeves and make a difference. Some have always wanted to have more time to give back – and now we do. Plus, that service keeps us optimistic that things will get better and primes us beautifully for our next, best job. Volunteering offers great experience, a chance to sharpen or learn new skills, and stay in the game – all increasingly desirable traits to any future employer. You Gain Appreciation for Other People and Places Jonathan Orc thought Africa was a very bad place: hot, poor, full of sickness and dirt. But he fell in love with people in Mali while teaching English and helping build a school. “We arrived at night, but they had been waiting for us all day long….I felt that I belonged, like they were just saving a spot for me in their village the whole time. I never really thought that they would spread their arms and accept us as family.” Kids often approached Orc, offering him mangoes or help, even when he didn’t need it. “Africa is a beautiful and extraordinary place that changed my life.” Giving back will change your life, and those you help. It’s that simple. Make it a great day! |
