Volunteering

Giving up our time and recourses for others is greatly beneficial for both the people we help, society and ourselves. While many people think that giving our money to a good cause is the most effective help, we can give so much more through helping with causes that may not be as big of an issue and are probably much closer to home. This is not because we do a greater deed in person but because we know how we are helping, and the people who are being helped know that someone cares. Although the benefits of helping in person may not be as measurable as giving to charity, it is more beneficial for our feelings and theirs. When we can see the appreciation of a person we have helped, we feel special, we Know we have made a difference, if not to the world, then to that person, and we know it really means something to them. This is a feeling that all of us should be feeling, it is something not as grandous or lasting as do-good-ers would have us believe, but on some level it is essential to our emotional health. Giving on a scale where we can barely even feel this can still be essential for those receiving, simply having someone offer to make you a cup of tea when you are not expecting it can greatly lift our mood, especially if we are feeling somewhat down at the time. Even the offer of a persons company can be greatly appreciated and make a real change to someone’s day, even someone’s life.