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Volunteer

   Want to make life rich and productive?  Volunteer.  Sound too simple?  It's not. There are so many ways one can do so, too.  Volunteering comes in so many packages and can involve so many things.  I think, for example, of the time I volunteered my girls and I to reshelf books for our local library.  That was a minimum time, minimum investment (just the cost of gas) event.  I'm not sure you could actually call it volunteering for the girls,as they had no choice in the matter.  Yes, parents, it is not only ok, but good, to volunteer your kids from time to time.
    Since, as a homeschool family, we spent a decent amount of time at the library, this wasn't exactly foreign to us. As I recall, there was nothing new to learn, which is ok, but it is nice if it becomes a learning activity, as well.
     I also helped at a government run agency during tax season, one year.  For this, I needed to learn some basic things, and take a quiz to show what I had learned.  The job, itself, was phone work, which was nothing new for me. I actually stumbled upon this at the end of the season, so it could have been a greater investment than it turned out to be.  As I am not out in the community, much, this was a way to discover some of the programs offered to the unemployed and low income crowd.
    Almost all of the volunteerism I am involved in would classify as ministry. This appeals to me the most because of the eternal impact, not to mention the eternal rewards. (I may or may not get eternal rewards for reshelving books). Writing letters to prisoners, singing in the choir, helping with children's church and AWANA, being a part of a prayer group,  have been long time commitments. The only way to really get to know people in the church, in my opinion, is through ministering. Otherwise, it seems more like something you check off on your to do list.
    Do you know that people who volunteer actually live longer?  That's right.  And, according to Psychology Today, they're happier, too.Plus, people who volunteer make more money, because they make more ties that can be used as leverage for better jobs.
    A lot of organizations depend heavily on volunteers. I think of some of the things my kids were involved in, 4H, AYSO, Sunday School, Youth Group, AWANA, VBS, 5 Day Bible Club, Church Camp, Upward Basketball.  All of these worthwhile activities would have been impossible without dedicated volunteers.
    Not all volunteerism is organized, of course. As a teen, I used to walk my landlord's dog.  I didn't have a pet of my own, and the owner cared little about giving the dog some exercise, so I filled in the gap.  My oldest daughter lives two hours away.  She has four little boys.  People in her church have been invaluable in babysitting for her. A friend of mine takes a couple without a car to the food bank.
     Sometimes, you volunteer for something, but the shoe just doesn't fit.  For one reason or another, you don't care for what you are doing.  You find it frustrating, distasteful, or boring.  Perhaps you feel ill equipped.  If that is the case, fulfill your obligation, whatever that is, and then, quit. No harm done. That doesn't mean you should decide volunteerism isn't for you.  Of course it is!  It's just like a paying job, not everyone is suited for every job.  The trick is finding a good fit.
     Of all of the reasons for volunteering, I think the sense of purpose that it gives you might be one of the most important perks. It makes you feel needed and wanted.  Some people, like firefighters and pregnancy care center workers, even save lives by donating their time. Hospice does an invaluable job in helping to care for the dying. The list goes on and on.  Will you be one who reaches out in big and small ways?  I challenge you to try it, if you've never done that.  The world will thank you for it!
     
   

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