Doing What You Love vs Doing What You Have To
Do you love what you do or do what you have to?
Almost everyone has heard the saying, find a way to make money doing something you love phrased one way or another. High school and college graduates hear the words every May and June. A rather romantic way of approaching the bottom line of necessity. Necessity warrants that you need to make money. For most of us that means a job; as a job earns a paycheck. Some in society have family money which gives a little more freedom when it comes to choosing what you love to do.
Think of all the jobs out there. It is safe to assume that for many the dream job gives way to a tolerable job. It is also safe to say that some of the jobs that may indeed be someones dream job simply don't pay well. This is often times when a person feels their passion suppressed for the sake of meeting basic necessity.
There is; however, a way to still get the passion fulfilled even if it is not necessarily tied to the job that puts food on the table. That is by volunteering.
In today's busy world, it can seem hard to think about finding time to volunteer, but the benefits are enormous. Volunteering can be fit into your schedule as the commitment time for the volunteer activity can vary widely.
Volunteering can benefit both your mental and physical health. It increases your self confidence. Doing good for others and your community provides a natural sense of accomplishment. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life. Volunteering keeps you in contact with others socially which can help combat depression and get you through challenging times.
If you are considering a new career or are currently unemployed, volunteering offers you a chance to try out a new career or gain experience in a new field. Many volunteer opportunities provide extensive training.
What is it that you find fun? Finding volunteer work that meets your needs is a great way to escape from your day to day routine. The fulfillment you get can carry over to your personal and professional life.
Once you've determined what types of work you would enjoy and what your time commitment allows, the next step is to find the volunteer opportunity. Some suggestions are:
Sports teams
After school programs
Youth organizations
Libraries
Churches
Soup kitchens
Service organizations like a Rotary or Lions Club
Human Services
Non-profits
Hospitals/Nursing homes
Animal Shelters
Get a feel for what you like. Try different opportunities until you find the one that feels just right. You are donating your valuable time, so it's important that you enjoy it.
Volunteering is for all ages. Parents teach your children and teenagers to look beyond themselves. All ages benefit from feeling good about their efforts.
Don't have that job that fulfills you? Perhaps, it's time to consider what a volunteer opportunity could mean to you.
