Give Back
I have recently gone on a few volunteering trips to different food banks and it has given me a completely different outlook on life. It has taught me the importance of giving back to your community and how to not judge a book by its cover.
Sure you can donate money to a cause and of course that helps tremendously to that charity or organization however I highly recommend you take the time to spend a day volunteering your time at a food bank or place similar to it. You will see first hand where your donations go and how your help makes such a big difference in the community. The biggest takeaway I have from these trips is how much I have. I have so much to be grateful for. One of the trips we took was to a place called Good Shepherd. The man giving us a tour stressed the importance of dignity and respect. To put things all into perspective, the very first thing he asked us was "did you sleep in a bed last night?" This blew me away. How often do you wake up in the morning and just think "wow, how incredible is it that I could sleep in a comfy bed, with a pillow and sheets to keep me warm?" Sure, it may sound a little cheesy however so many people don't have that luxury that we do.
Not only would you be helping an amazing cause but you are also increasing your happiness. When you see the smile on someone's face after you've helped them get food to take to their family, or how grateful the workers there are to you for helping them out. This will give you a happiness unlike any other.
If you go out and volunteer, I guarantee you will have a new outlook in life. You will realize that material objects aren't as important as you thought they were. This can bring a sense of fulfillment to your life and maybe that's something you've been searching for. By volunteering, you are increasing your social skills and making meaningful connections with others. You will also gain a sense of purpose when you volunteer your time to help others. As you can see, not only is volunteering good for the community and the people you are helping but also it's benefitting you in the long run as well.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
If you are Catholic, you will probably notice this goes along with Community and Common Good. The Catholic view is that we all have a responsibility and an obligation to contribute to the common good of the whole society. Even if you are not Catholic and have no religious views, I believe it is important to have that view regardless and just as a human being. We should all be giving to those who are less fortunate than us because everyone needs a little help sometimes. These food banks and services have kept food on the table for many families and even saved lives. The importance of giving to those who rely on those services is crucial in order to have a functioning society.