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“Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
word; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
There is a secret to developing
a healthier you. Those who know the secret understand how to tap into a
power that can and will change their lives forever. The secret is . . .
giving—of yourself, your time, and your talents. Those who do so will
improve not only the lives of others, but also themselves—body, mind, and
spirit!
Volunteering for a Healthier Body
Stay fit while helping out. Do
you like to work with your hands, get out into the great outdoors, bang
nails, or clean up the environment? Volunteering is a great way to stay fit
and active.
You don’t have to look any
farther than your own backyard. Organize a stream cleanup or volunteer to
work with an environmental group that does one. You’ll enjoy the great
outdoors and, at the same time, improve the parks and natural resources in
your area for all to enjoy.
Maybe you’re a fix-it person who likes to get even more physical. Check out
Habitat for Humanity, a group that has helped to build houses for over
150,000 homeless families so far.
Contribute your skills with
hammer and saw, or learn these skills from others who are a part of the
organization. The satisfaction that comes from building something with your
own hands is deep and lasting. And the families who receive the homes will
forever remember what you’ve done for them.
Often, nursing homes and other
care facilities need your help too. You can take those who are
wheelchair-bound for walks on the grounds, or help with some of the more
physical jobs around the center.
For all who wish to benefit
physically from volunteer work, keep in mind the words of General Norman
Schwarzkopf: “You cannot help someone get up a hill without getting closer
to the top yourself.”
Volunteering for a Healthier Mind
Teachers, leaders, and mentors
often say that the way to learn something really well is to teach it to
someone else. In our fast-paced, “entertain-me-right-now” world, few people
take the time to enjoy a good book anymore. Many do not have the skills to
do so.
Check out volunteer
opportunities at your local library or elementary schools. Taking time to
read to children is an investment in our future.
And it’s not just about
kids. According to the latest statistics published on the ABC Canada
website, 22 percent of adult Canadians have serious problems dealing with
any printed materials, and an additional 24 percent of Canadians can only
deal with simple reading tasks.
In
the U.S., according to EastSide Weekend
Newsmagazine, 20 percent of American
adults are functionally illiterate; another 34 percent have only marginal
skills. The need for help is there.
Again, for seniors, tired eyes
and worn out bodies can make reading difficult at times. And remember—the
pleasure of having someone read to you is something that never goes away. It
is a mind-expanding activity for both reader and listener. Who knows? You
might make a new friend.
Volunteering for a Healthier Spirit
Volunteerism is an excellent
way to give your spirits a lift. By volunteering, you expand your own
personal network, forging relationships that may last a lifetime.
One of the best organizations
that demonstrates this connectedness is Big Brothers / Big Sisters. They
match children aged 7 to 14 from single-parent homes with a role model
called a “Big Brother” or a “Big Sister”—basically, another adult role
model. A quick search on the web or a check of the phone directory should be
enough to locate your local chapter. Taking time out for a child is the
greatest gift you can give:
“One hundred
years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of
house I lived in, or how much money I had in the bank, but the world may be
a better place because I made a difference in a child’s life.” –Forest E.
Whitcraft
The Internet: A Whole New
World of Opportunity
You have trouble getting out
when others want your help? You’re stuck at home, and feel that you can’t
volunteer because your free time happens only at midnight? There is a
solution—become an e-volunteer and volunteer over the Internet.
What kinds of possibilities
exist? More than you might have imagined. Use your computer skills to help
develop web pages for community or nonprofit organizations. Give tutorials
or lessons over the web to teach others how to make best use of the
Internet. Write articles supporting good causes. Research and send them
pages of links that may help them.
Want to Get Involved?
Here are
website addresses for some of the organizations mentioned in the article—and
a few more too!
Habitat for Humanity—building
no-profit homes for the homeless
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
US Environmental Protection Agency
Sierra Club—promotes
the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources
Partners in Learning—helps
kids in grades K-12
Volunteer Match—get
out and do good
Hearts and Minds—experience
the warmth of meaningful connections
America’s Promise—works to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the
character and competence of our nation's youth.
Idealist-Action without Borders—an
extensive resource for volunteering, with links to over 20,000 organizations
in 140 countries.
NetAid—help
to relieve global poverty through virtual volunteering; sponsored by the
United Nations Development Programme and Cisco Systems
You can make a difference. And the difference
you make will come back to benefit you in countless ways—a healthier body,
mind, and spirit, yes—but also a healthier outlook on the world and the
positive changes that can be made, that are possible. You have this power.
Join with others who have also learned the secret. Volunteer.
Charles Baker is a husband, a father, a
teacher, and a writer from Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. His poetry
and prose have been published both in print journals and online for children
and adults, and he is currently a weekly columnist ("GET!") for
Universal
Personality. Check out his
website to learn more
about Chuck's current projects.
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