Volunteerism: An Act of Service

December 5th, celebrated as International Volunteer Day

Each of us has a quality which sets us apart but also puts us with the right crowd. The ability to look at people’s faces, read their eyes and feel empathy towards their stories is the ultimate quality to have if you want to find some peace in life. Or at the least, to have an attempt at it.

Volunteering for the people’s well-being and happiness is a marvelous thing to do. You get engaged with individuals, groups or communities with whom you may not interact with under usual circumstances. The first time I ever volunteered was at a Cancer Hospital where I was stationed in the play-area of Children’s ward. In my brief interaction, I visited all child patients, met their parents, went on rounds with the psychologist and saw how little things mattered in life. I remember at that time my usual eczema had flared up to a point that it had become hard for me to socialize. I hid my hands mostly from people as it was easier than answering curious and pitiful questions. That place, looking at the real suffering made me realize how ungrateful I have been towards my life. What I have is manageable and not life threatening. What those patients have to live with is sheer courage in the face of adversity while their loved ones do not have the liberty to break down or process grief before it happens.

Similarly, I worked at a school for marginalized groups, engaged in other community initiatives and hosted several fundraising events which led me to this conclusion that volunteerism is more for Self than others. It’s almost like oxygen for a dying body and an absent mind. The sense of purpose that we often crave can be found in the true essence of being with people through cherished conversations and pure laughter.

As I look back, the only warmth I feel from is because of the time I have spent with my people. Out there in community, I feel a sense of being too little or small in existence to care about anything else in life. Does it mean we’re selfish when it comes to Volunteerism even? Maybe. Is that wrong? Probably not, as long as it rows your boat. You may not want to reach the shore just yet but you might be able to take someone with you along the journey and help them reach a shore for themselves.

As we drown, we may as well use each other as an anchor to stay afloat for just a little longer. While it lasts, it may always rest in your favor this way.

I hope you become light to someone’s darkness.

Become a part of our initiative at Alif Laam Meem, where our goal is to engage with the community by offering our love, support and time.

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