Notepad Corner

If you are feeling a bit blue this winter season, then you might want to consider volunteering. While many go into projects firmly believing that they are giving to the community, many soon discover that the community blesses them more than they could ever give away. Here are some of the ways that you may want to volunteer. Share a Talent There are many ways that you can share a talent that you have with your community. For example, despite being confined to a hospital bed and on Hospice, 91-year-old Morrie Boogart has knitted over 8,000 caps to give away to the homeless. Others, choose to work in a soup kitchen sharing their cooking and baking skills. If you are a musician, then you might think about sharing your musical talents through an organization like Sing For Hope that teaches music in New York City's inner-city schools. Donate Goods Almost everyone has things of value that they can donate. For example, when Bertis Downs who was the lawyer for rock band R.E.M. d...

There comes a time in every person's life when there is a void hard to describe, an unsettling desire to do something bigger than themselves. There are many reasons why volunteer work can replenish that feeling in a most gratifying way, it can redeem the spirit, harvest knowledge, create social connections and improve the CV. Volunteer work with the Army Cadet Force or other charities such as the Red Cross, Oxfam and Shelter can be a character building component of anyone's life because through helping others, you help yourself. When giving back, you not only gain experience in many of life's components, but you build self-esteem and gain confidence, discovering new things about yourself and the community you take part in. Through altruism and compassion, you create genuine human connections and find priceless life lessons in the least expected places. Volunteering expands not only our own happiness, but improves the way we interact with the world. We are hardw...