“What’s It All About, Alfie?” is the Burt Bacharach title song from a 1966 movie of the same name. “Is it just for the moment we live? I know there’s something more.” These words about love and life inspired me to think about volunteering and being of service.
Each of us wants our life to have meaning. Using and sharing our individual gifts gives our life purpose and by being of service and volunteering, we can make a difference.
Volunteering is a win-win proposition because both individuals and/or organizations benefit. You have no doubt heard that it is better to give than to receive. Why? Let me count the ways:
- A sense of purpose and fulfillment builds feelings of self-worth and self-confidence based on shared interest and commitment with others, especially when advancing a worthy purpose or goal.
- Social interaction and connection are significant factors when creating a good quality of life and health. Working with others in service of a common goal is a great way to reduce stress and make friends.
- Staying physically and mentally active actually increases our overall health and brain function. By giving to others through our connection, service and commitment we are investing in our own lives just as much as we are serving the individuals and causes that we support.
- Volunteering develops perspective and builds character for students by broadening their horizons and experience in addition to acquiring important social and life skills.
- The ability to interact with and learn from people from different walks of life enhances the quality of our own life, in addition to expanding the scope of our awareness, experience and community.
- Volunteering may help us to reduce stress or minimize personal challenges by giving our life new meaning, perspective and a sense of purpose.
- The desire to be part of something greater than ourselves is strong among many of us. Being of service and volunteering often provides us with a sense of belonging to and a strengthening of community which also expands our social network.
- Self-confidence and self-respect increase as we recognize the positive impact we have on others and that we are truly making a difference, whether it be large or small.
- Most of us want our lives to matter, to leave a positive legacy — to know that we have made a difference in some way, to some individuals or causes. Volunteering and becoming an agent of change provides many opportunities to enhance the quality of our own lives as well as the lives of others.
- Consider whether volunteering or being of service would contribute something meaningful to your life.
Ask yourself what you’d like to learn or accomplish from volunteering. Take stock of your passion, skills and interests. Be realistic and wise about your current life circumstances including family, work, time and physical ability. Investigate the situation, people involved and expectations before your commit in order to create a meaningful and joyful experience.
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
[Maya Angelou]
By Esther C. Bleuel, MA, MFT, MDR