Best place to volunteer my time?

[Alphathree33]

(DISCLAIMER: Some folks say I post a thread "like this" "every week". If you don't like what I post, stop reading here.)

After a lot of thinking about what I want to do with my life, an obvious yet elusive fact occurred to me this morning: in order for my life to matter, I have to have an impact on others.

I went on a streak of goal-setting and self improvement: more money, more skills, better style, better personality, etc. etc.

Having all of these goals was supposed to make me "happy". Instead it just made me more miserable as my time became very structured trying to achieve my goals.

Then I realized that all of my goals were about me -- how *I* was going to improve, how other people would help *me* improve, and so on.

When I identified that other people were important, I set more goals -- how can *I* get more friends, join more social groups, be more popular, etc.

Despite "involving" other people, it was still all about me. My self-centered-ness apparently runs REALLY deep.

Anyway, I finally get it. I want to have an impact on others and THEIR lives have to become important to me. Well duh.

My first thought is that I should volunteer. I tried volunteering at a food bank and it was fairly fun - but at the end of the day, we really just ended up sorting food into bins.

I'm looking for a volunteer opportunity that will include a lot of social interaction and hopefully (here comes my self-centeredness again) a chance for me to develop as well.

Any suggestions? I know places like hospitals, old age homes, food banks, and other "social services" type locations are popular ones. But I honestly have no idea where to start.

 

[George P Burdell]

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Edit: The American Cancer Society runs many facilities for cancer patients/survivors. They are always looking for volunteers to help out in the office, run errands, cook or just spend some quality time with the patients. Look at cancer.org and see what the ACS is doing in your city.

 

[KillerCharlie]

There are some websites on the internet (can't remember off the top of my head) where you type in your zip code and they list tons of opportunities in the area. One good idea is working with a gospel mission or some other homeless shelter where you serve food and talk to the homeless. Another idea is to volunteer at a place where you help kids from poor neighborhoods with their homework.

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
There are some websites on the internet (can't remember off the top of my head) where you type in your zip code and they list tons of opportunities in the area. One good idea is working with a gospel mission or some other homeless shelter where you serve food and talk to the homeless. Another idea is to volunteer at a place where you help kids from poor neighborhoods with their homework.

I just found out that the local library has "learn to read" programs for kids that are struggling (presumably from a poor background). You help them read, with their homework, etc.

My only concern is that I'm typically TERRIBLE with kids. That'll be a learning experience for me for sure.

I just can't relate to them at all... I'm not the jokster type that kids usually like.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Edit: The American Cancer Society runs many facilities for cancer patients/survivors. They are always looking for volunteers to help out in the office, run errands, cook or just spend some quality time with the patients. Look at cancer.org and see what the ACS is doing in your city.

Thank you for that link

 

[Capt Caveman]

craigslist.org volunteers community

Local Volunteer organization - for example, in Boston - http://bostoncares.org/

 

[Farang]

You sound like someone who needs to read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. There is nothing wrong with selfishness.

I realize this is the third time I've mentioned that book on these forums, so let me say that I'm not a complete Randian but in this case the OP is acting like determining one's future on the basis of what one wants is a bad thing, so I felt I should mention another point of view.

 

[Crono]

EDIT: Forgot collection week ended

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: Farang
You sound like someone who needs to read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. There is nothing wrong with selfishness.

I realize this is the third time I've mentioned that book on these forums, so let me say that I'm not a complete Randian but in this case the OP is acting like determining one's future on the basis of what one wants is a bad thing, so I felt I should mention another point of view.

I've read it cover to cover. I'm a true libertarian my friend, how do you think I got to thinking about myself so much?

I'm acting in a completely rational way with respect to what I want; I *WANT* to have an impact on others.

As much as I agree with her politics, I think Ayn Rand was probably very miserable.

It's also important to note that Dagny Taggart DID have an impact on others. Keeping the railway running affected the entire country.