31 Aug Community Service and Why It’s Important…For You!
Directing traffic in a parking lot. Painting old buildings. Picking up trash on a hot day. Let’s be serious, there’s not a lot about volunteering that is glamorous. Sure, playing with kids in hospitals and helping out with animal shelters can be a little better, but even these activities have their challenges. But, YOU SHOULD DO THEM!!!
Yes, it’s great that you’re helping the community. That’s the obvious side of all community service so no need to cover it here and it SHOULD be the priority. But there’s a part that inevitably ends up helping you. Many don’t talk about it for fear of coming off selfish or self-centered and that’s okay. I’m self-centered enough for all of us to say it out loud.
There are 5 major reasons that benefit YOU when you do community service:
- Build community
- Create new relationships
- Expand your network
- Resume builder
- Improves your health (mental and physical)
Less than 25% of people above the age of 18 in America donate any of their time in a given year. This is a huge way to differentiate yourself in a job market that is getting tougher. Did I mention the part about making friends/business connections/feeling good about yourself?
I should just quit there. I don’t know how much more selling would be needed at this point to convince you to click off this article right now and Google for a cause important to you so you can get involved. But in case you need some more convincing, here’s my last point.
Purpose. So many people are searching for something to belong to in this world that becomes more and more disconnected as we become more and more connected online. Scrolling through social media for 3 hours on an average Saturday is not a purpose and it’s leaving many of us wanting more. THIS is a great way to belong. Injured and retired veterans that are back from action often yearn to get back into the fight with their fellow soldiers. It’s because (on a MUCH higher and important matter aka life or death), they have a purpose that can be difficult to find when they return from their service. I was told that veterans appreciate hearing “Thank you for your service” but what they really need to hear is “We still need you”. It communicates that their purpose is not finished, it’s just different. The same can be true for you.
So do yourself a favor and get out there. Find something you think you’d like and try giving just an hour of your time. If it’s not for you, then find something else and give it a shot. Then remember this quote by a dead Greek dude named Aristotle (back when they didn’t really do last names, I guess).
The essence of life is to serve others and to do good.
So get out there. Go do some good. And don’t feel bad when it does you some good too.