Volunteering

Photo: Courtesy of the Salvation Army

I don’t know about you, but I love to volunteer. I know that it is not for everyone and that in some cases people only volunteer because they need a certain amount of hours to graduate or for a project. It is a shame that with all the resources that are available and the freedom people have, they are not willing to grant some of their personal time to help brighten someone else’s day.

Nowadays, too much time is spent on social networks, video games or television. Let’s face the harsh realiy, the majority of people do not want to do things for free. I recently volunteered at a fundraiser to raise awareness for breast cancer and prostate cancer. I had a blast and helped out for a great cause. As I was getting my coat and getting ready to leave, I overheard something that shocked me. A few volunteers had come to volunteer and get credit for their school, but were expecting to get paid! Wow. Society is seriously becoming messed up if people are wanting to get paid for volunteering. It truly boggles my mind.

Volunteering used to be about helping out someone or something, whether it be a senior, the environment or an event. You would do it because you either wanted to out of the goodness of your heart or to get credit for school. Sometimes it would be dirty, tiring, depressing, but at the end of the day, you knew that you made the world a better place, even if it was just a little bit. I really hope that was just one instance and that today’s generation is not expecting to get paid for volunteering.It just makes me mad.

Go out and help those that are less fortunate. It will not only cheer someone up, help someone who is running ragged because of an event they are doing, but it will give you experience. It will help build up your character and personality. It will help build your people skills and you will meet amazing people who might become your friends. There are some extraordinary people out there, just waiting to meet you. If you live in North America and in some of the other priviledged countries where you don’t have to worry about lack of food, water and shelter, the least you could do is volunteer a bit of your time. For those that volunteer already, keep up the amazing work!

I’m sorry if this sounds preachy, but I just wanted to say it. There is not enough caring in this world. I notice that as each year passes, everyone seems to be more absorbed in what they are doing, and less about those around them. Don’t take things for granted. One day you might wake up and be one of those that are less fortunate and depending on the goodness of others.

Music Wednesday: Wipe Your Eyes by Maroon 5

Wipe Your Eyes by Maroon 5

I’m afraid that I gotta what but I gotta do
But if I let you go, where you gonna go?
We gotta make it change, time to turn the page
Something isn’t right, I don’t wanna fight you
We’ve been through couple times, you know it gets worse
We can turn this around, please let me be first
And as I feel your tears spilling on my shirt
Something isn’t right I don’t wanna fight you

[Chorus]
Hey you, come over and let me embrace you
I know that i’m causing you pain too but
Remember if you need to cry
I’m here to wipe your eyes

Tonight before you fall asleep
I’ll run my thumb across your cheek
Cry ’cause i’m here to wipe your eyes
I know I made you feel this way
You gotta breathe, we’ll be okay
Cry ’cause i’m here to wipe your eyes

Lyrics are a powerful tool that get people’s attention. It can be on an issue, it can be for salvation, heart break or anything that fits wherever you are right now. They teach us, they make us laugh, they make us cry, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t imagine a world without music. Every day I go through, I listen or hear music all around me. It ingrains memories into my mind and when a particular song is heard, I am transported back to that day when I heard it.

I first heard this song when my sister asked me to listen to it. It reminded me of my sister in many ways. There have been times when things were really dark and gloomy and there have been times when I was so happy I wanted to scream it to the world. The person that was  and always will be there for me no matter what is my sister. She is my best friend, she is my sister, and I love her.

We have been through so much together and some times we didn’t even want to speak to one another, but that didn’t last for long. Aside from a two year age difference, we could be twins because we are so much alike and have similar tastes in a lot of things. Maybe that is why I feel so close to her and why we are inseperable. This song just reinforces what she means to me and vice versa. We have shared a lot of tears and have made each other feel better and  before long, the world didn’t look so bleak. I am thanksful to have such a great sister, who will wipe my tears away and put a smile back on my face.  🙂

Here is a the song from Maroon 5: