I'm so proud of myself. I've finally started volunteering again. I don't say this to get a medal or to get any accolades. I've been 'meaning' to do this for a few years, but never really followed through. One reason or another I never got a chance to do it. There is a quote that goes, "The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention" (Duguet). The very act of me attending this orientation meeting to volunteer proves to be a bigger deed then all of the months I've spent wanting to do it.
So I've been looking on the NYcares.org website to look for areas in which to do something. I'm so impressed by this organization because they work with so many non-profits, state programs, homeless shelters, nursing homes, after-school programs, etc. that there are tons of opportunities to help. When I sat in during the orientation, there were several people there who, when asked why they want to volunteer, quite a few answered that they were new to New York, they heard about nycares and thought that volunteering would 1) allow them an opportunity to do good things with a well-known organization, and 2) meet new people. I thought what an amazing thing for people to think about helping others at a time when they're in this big city all alone. Pretty smart. There was a guy who just moved to NY 2 days ago from England; there was a woman from India originally, who just moved to NY from Boston 2 months ago; a Botanist who's lived in the Bronx for several years, and so on. We went around the table to introduce ourselves and state why we were volunteering.
When my turn came up, all I planned to say so that I sounded the slightest bit intelligent fell out of my head. 'Why do you want to volunteer with NYcares?', asked the leader of the group. All I could think of in that brief moment were the times my mother, who when she was a shut-in at home and no one would come and visit her, there was an organization that had volunteers whose sole purpose was to come over and talk to my mom and spend time with her for companionship. I realized that this is what I need to do. This is part of my calling in being in New York. All I could muster to say was, "My mother was a recipient of people who volunteered to give her a purpose and through companionship, give her worth. I honor her by giving back the same gift to other Seniors." The words came out effortlessly, and I realized that I was operating in the realm of my purpose. Volunteering is key to my calling.
I look forward and am very excited about what lies ahead. I anticipate every opportunity to be challenging but fulfilling. I cannot wait to serve.
This is a new year and this is a new moment to do grand things through small deeds.
What are you doing this year? What plans do you have for yourself and your life? If volunteerism is not a part of your purpose, do you at least know what your purpose is? If you do, I encourage you to get involved, get active and get busy. There are people who need to hear from you. People who have been hoping and praying for your arrival. It's time to answer the call. If you don't know what your purpose is, I implore you to have a talk with yourself and search your heart to see what you can do to reach a life. Moreso, to see what you can do to change your own life.
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