The family that volunteers together, is happier together. The London School of Economics revealed a study that shows the more a person volunteers, the happier they are overall- as much as a 16 percent increase over those that don't. In addition to this happiness factor, volunteering as a family teaches children valuable lessons on citizenship and being socially responsible. Sometimes, it also directly benefits the family by improving the community and services where they live. Here are 4 great ways to get started volunteering:
1. Community clean ups and recycling programs This can be done on a city wide scale or just for a specific neighborhood. Many cities already have a volunteer program in place, so its simply a matter of contacting the right department and signing up. If not, it isn't difficult to grab gloves and trash bags and find a street or park to clean. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach about recycling aluminum, plastic, and paper. 2. Church Clothe Closets Many churches operate a clothes closet that gives away donated clothing items. While donating is certainly always appreciated, most churches also need volunteers. Typical jobs include washing, sorting, and organizing items, as well as manning the days they are open for the public. 3.Food Pantries Food pantry volunteerism is always great during the holidays, but tend to run short of hands during the rest of the year. From preparing meals, helping serve and perhaps even delivering meals to homebound residents, the local food pantries are always grateful for extra help. 4. Animal Shelter Animal lovers will find no shortage of volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and pounds. While the kids may not always be welcome to directly handle the animals (depending on their age and ability,) there are other tasks that always need attention. Taking pictures of animals and updating adoption opportunities, organizing and storing dog food, washing bedding, helping to collect donation items are also areas where there's need. Of course, walking, socializing and bathing the animals is always fun too. While these are just a few volunteer activities that can be shared as a family, the possibilities are endless. The most important thing is to get up and get moving, making a difference in the community one volunteer opportunity at a time.
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Negativity is a dark, bottomless pit. It doesn’t go away but you can control your emotions and mood so as not to fall into it. Today’s news floods our eyes with murder, theft, disease and other horrible crimes happening daily, even hourly. How is one supposed to stay positive when surrounded by this murky pit of negativity? We don’t want to let the negativity in because it will corrode our brains and can even change our outlook permanently. While it may seem hopeless, it is actually very possible to overcome the negative gloom around us.
Remember to focus on the present and stay in your moment which will keep the negativity at bay. Whatever is going on, be sure to notice the good too. It may be hiding but it is always there; even something as simple as noticing that it was a beautiful sunny day can change your mood instantly. Practicing mindfulness and meditation helps to keep us focused on the present and allows us to gain control of our emotions. These techniques promote good mental health and a positive attitude. In today’s technology dependent world it’s hard to avoid media and electronics, but limiting those can also have an uplifting effect. Say positive affirmations daily take a walk outside and remember to always breathe. Be around positive people and do the things you love. You may not be able to change the negativity in the world, but it doesn’t have to affect you. You can see with a positive outlook and it will have an influence on those around you. Negative events may will always happen but staying positive will ensure you don’t get dragged down into that dark abyss. You might wonder how to be a good example for your kids. There are various opinions on the matter. One of the best things to keep in mind in this endeavor is that it is good that you are already thinking about these things. Just having a positive intention and open mind is the best start.
You should try to remember not to lecture children on behaviors that you yourself do not do. It is really ridiculous for an alcoholic parent to lecture a child on the evils of alcohol. Monkey see, monkey do. The child will not have any respect for how the alcoholic conducts oneself and will grow up either completely abstaining or becoming a drunk as well. If you struggle with a major addiction, get some help. Go to meetings or a support group and then you will at least have something positive to tell your child. Also when wondering how to be a good example for your kids, remember that you can set them up for success or failure. If you impose strict rules on them that you yourself cannot follow, then you are being a hypocrite. For example, you might expect your child to eat no sugar and yet constantly stock the cupboards with sweets for yourself. Here you are showing children that you expect them to do things that you cannot in life. They will grow up to actually hate talking to you and dread your horrible lectures. Try to be a nice human being all around and then your kids will actually respect you. Give them everything they need in life and teach them to be hard working. Go to your job and put a smile on your face. It's a good life, especially in North America, so get to living well and responsibly as a good example for your kids. Being a more caring and compassionate person is not impossible, but can be hard in modern society. We often believe that to be more caring we must do what other people want from us. We also often believe that to be more compassionate that we have to be more forgiving of things we do not agree with. This simply is not true. The caring person and the compassionate heart should never be censored or dishonest. This takes away from the legitimacy of the feelings and actions being expressed. Herein is the key to being a more caring and compassionate person in daily life.
Agreement is not necessary to care for someone else, nor is it a prerequisite for having compassion. One person does not have to agree with another person in order to understand their situations, but having true empathy is necessary. Empathy implies feeling for another person, it does not mean feeling what their actual feelings are. So it is possible to care about someone and feel compassion for them unconditionally. Nobody should be forced to agree with your opinions, but still it is possible to express to someone how they might do things differently to better their current situation in life. Caring is an active part of feeling empathy for another person, but it does not change what compassion feels is probably in their best interests. The principle here can be explained simply, care and have compassion for others, as you would want other to do for yourself. This is stated in the Bible, Buddhism and most religions, but it applies to anyone without any need to follow a religious doctrine. Being good to others is a simple thing, as long as we do it with honesty and without conditional complications. When you care it should be genuine, as when being compassionate it should be with honesty. This blog should be an agent of good in the world.
It should spread happiness. It should not and will not tolerate fear. And I think if you continue to follow me here, you might even have a little fun. Stay tuned for more updates... |
AuthorI care deeply about the world and want everyone to live a more loving, fulfilled life. Archives
September 2017
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