Greetings from Bethel, Alaska, my new "home" where I'm providing psychotherapy to the Yupik peoples of the Yukon Delta. Our thought for January 14th comes from, The Journey: A Calendar Book and reads, "Volunteer".
According to the "American Heritage Desk Dictionary", a volunteer is "someone who performs or gives services of his own free will" (1981). From the time I was a little boy volunteering was a large part of my weekly activities, without my knowing it. I was very active in church growing up and as such found myself standing alongside childhood friends in the junior choir every Wednesday after school from 3:00 - 4:00. Our choir leader was a young woman who was known to all, and continues to be known to all, as Ms. Barbara.
Ms. Barbara taught by example to be sure. Weekly we would haul in Ms. Juanita's 1965 white and black Mustang convertible as well as Ms. Barbara's 1965 burgundy convertible Ford Galaxy and traipse down to the "old folks home" as it was called then, and sing for the residents, volunteering our time and talents to brighten the day of the elderly.
Ms. Barbara was as well the church secretary, a job which she continues to this day. As time went on I and my best friend who lived only a block, began showing up at the church office and volunteering for any odd jobs Ms. Barbara saw needed to be completed; sharpening the pencils kept in the pews for offering envelops, stripping the fellowship hall floors and re-waxing them, organizing can goods in the food pantry.
These "random acts of kindness" followed me throughout adolescence into adulthood. How much positivity comes my way each year when I spend Christmas Day traveling to St. Louis and volunteering at the Salvation Army's soup kitchen. What I gain in "awareness" is worth more than any monetary payment I could possibly be given.
Again, the readings in my "Daily Guide to Success" calendar books are not intended to tout me, but are tangible activities, events, thoughts and realities which I have found to bring positivity and peace in my life and have had a major impact on bringing about personal success in my life. If you don't think you volunteer, look back at your weekly activities. You may be surprised. If you know you don't volunteer, find something you can work the time in your busy schedule to help with in your community. Volunteer. It's worth your time and energy.
Keep looking up. :) AJ
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