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Be Selfish. Giving to Others, Gives Back to You

This is the 5th and final section on my 1 year to-do-list. 

After this, the posts will slow down, to once a week at a minimum. It's hard juggling life, blog posts and this book I'm meant to be planning out. Something has to give for a bit and it'll be these posts... 

I'll post an update next week...

For me, voluntary or charitable work in whatever guise is so important. 

It does 2 things. 

It helps those that you give to but it also helps you because giving helps us see beyond ourselves. 

It fosters connections and connections are really what we as humans strive our whole lives to make and to sustain. I think connections is a whole blog topic in of itself. I have a lot to say on our need to connect.


Back on topic...

Granted we can't all volunteer and what not, but if we have the capacity and the opportunity to give then I think we each have a responsibility to do so. It doesn't have to be in some grand way. It maybe mentoring or coaching or giving advice through work etc. 

Maybe it should be renamed as something less rigid sounding because essentially it's about giving back. This means it doesn't have to be deliberately organised forms of volunteering or charitable work. Maybe it's simply seizing an opportunity where you know in that moment you can make a difference.

For instance, you see someone struggling with their shopping and you simply ask if they need help. They may not and that's fine. However the point is you were aware and you were ready to give. One day someone you ask or who approaches you may need a little bit of help and then you'll be ready. 

I guess it's also being open and willing to give and be charitable, if possible. There are instances where it isn't possible to help even if you desperately want to. That's ok too.

So, I try to practice the above by just being aware and helping and giving where I can. Sometimes people just want to chat and I have the time so I give it. Other times I've given food to food banks and to individuals and obviously money to charity.

We all do something. We probably all do more than we think because we think somehow it needs to be organised and labelled in some elaborate way. It is just as valid and meaningful when it is quiet, spontaneous and small.

The other things I do are more of your traditional volunteering. 

I've been a school governor since October 2023. I feel the weight of responsibility and oversight balanced with striving to do the best for all the children at school. It's a steep learning curve but for the best reasons.

I've also been a parent volunteer at the school and I want to continue giving a few hours of my time. Previously, I've been reading 1-to-1 with children. The benefits of regular reading are well known. 

I also benefit greatly too. It gives me more insight into the day-to-day life of the school, as a parent and governor. The experience is great for my PGCE application. I find it a really peaceful and relaxing space. I always come away lighter and happier after interacting with the children who brighten my day and keep me on my toes.

I'm also looking at other voluntary roles outside of this. I don't know if I have time to do any other organised type of voluntary work. For me, if it's an hour a week term time, I could probably fit it in. So I'm always on the look out. 

Maybe it's a befriending service which can be done in person or on the phone. 

Maybe it's just rocking up to the nearest nursing home to say hello and have a chat. I don't know if that's even possible or allowed.

In some ways I'm selfish because I know me giving to others, gives back to me. What I get out is far more than what I put in and that's why this is on my priority to-do-list.

*Featured image was created using Microsoft CoPilot Designer powered by DALL-E 3

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