Good for others, good for me

Points of Light promotes National Volunteer Week as an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. I agree that we should celebrate this.?

It is also an opportunity to recognize what research shows – that doing for good others feels good and does us good (see ?Psychology Today). In era when mental health is fragile, it is a time to recognize and celebrate that when we do good for others, we are contributing to our own well-being.

I am fortunate that being in-service to others was modeled by my family; it is something we simply did.?Over the years, I’ve volunteer my time and talents in many ways: facilitating retreats, packing food boxes, tutoring a grade-school student, even providing a rent-free room for a young woman with unstable housing.?Each experience provides insights into the lives (challenges and opportunities) of others.?In the midst of these experiences, I found worth and joy; the impact of volunteering on me is that I am a more empathetic and understanding.

Currently, most of my volunteer efforts are in the form of nonprofit board service.?I am able to use what I’ve learned being a consultant and the various ways I've experienced governance to help organizations be more strategic and better steward their resources.?It is rewarding in a different way, I find the value in growing my network; and, I am thankful for knowing that the organizations I serve are helping hundreds, if not thousands of youth.

This week, as we recognize the value and significance of volunteering, may we be inspired by the words of Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”