As strange as it sounds, my one and only desire
before the Chinese New Year arrived was that I want to devote more of my time
for volunteering during this year.
I started volunteering sporadically a few years
ago, when my friend and a few of her friends gathered together to do something
for the old folks living in rented apartments in Chinatown. We were not part of
any organization, it was just group of friends who came together to do this.
This activity meant a lot to me personally because my grand aunt lived there
(she has since passed away) - but I have not started doing any volunteering
work then when she was still alive.
I remembered that she would receive food rations
regularly from organizations as well as groups of volunteers (like what my
friends and I did). Sometimes, organizations would also take them out for meals
like dim sum on weekends. I guess I wanted to do my part to give back to the
society as my grand aunt is one of the lucky recipients who was being well
taken care of when she lived there. My friends and I did this about 3 times a
year, but it fizzled out when the organizers got busy with other priorities.
But that was a good starting point.
I was still looking out for good causes that I
feel passionate about to volunteer and again last year, when a friend
introduced me to an organization that packs food rations for needy families. I’ve since
taken part in that regularly. As an added bonus, I also treat it as a
good workout, since it is very hands-on and manual. It is fun too,
to be part of a large group coming together to do something to help others.
The reason that I want to devote more time to
volunteering:
It came into my mind that the older I get, the
time I have while being on the earth gets shorter. And I don’t mean that in a depressing way, as
it helps me to clarify what is truly important and meaningful.
This is turn, has made me think about how much
time I spend doing activities that really matter to me on the deepest of
levels. I’m committed into carving out
some time from my life to do something meaningful, to help others in small tiny
steps. I feel lucky to be able to give.
Next week, I will take part in a
"trial" volunteering session for something that may potentially be
on-going for a long term basis. I'm still not sure exactly what I will be doing
- but deep in my heart I am excited as the work done in the organization is
something I believe in strongly. I filled up an application before Chinese New
Year, and when I didn't hear back, I wrote in again, expressing my desire. When
I received an email saying they needed a volunteer, I was thrilled because I
know it will be for a good cause and my time there will be of a good use.
Sometimes people want to volunteer, but they
don't know where/how to start or where to go to. Perhaps many people were like
me, trying to find something that they feel passionate about. It took me a
while to find something that I feel strongly about. I feel lucky that I can put
some of my skills into good use.
If you are still looking, don't give up - keep
searching for something that excites you and that you feel strongly for.
Meanwhile, I am looking forward to this wonderful
opportunity and journey.
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