Category: Contribution

This past week, I had the honor and privilege to volunteer at a homeless shelter in Boston.  The homeless shelter is the St. Francis House.  I worked the lunch shift, where I would collect trays and wash dishes for approximately 90 minutes.

It was a very humbling experience working in the dish room and being around in that environment.  I was serving many people who would only have that one meal a day.  I am serving those that do not have as good as a life as I do.  Realizing that, opened my eyes in a very profound way.

In our day to day life and activities, we sometimes forget how great our lives are and how some are just struggling to get through the day.  Sometimes, I complain about getting up in the morning and dealing with my problems the day has to offer.  Yet, the truth is that these problems are an absolute privilege to have as well as being a gift.

I saw how many of these people who were depending on the shelter for lunch struggling.  I see it in their eyes.  I see it in their physiologies.   Honestly, I was holding back my tears.  I was doing what I could not show out loud, but I was crying inside.  I was asking myself how did I become incredibly blessed.

What is the difference between myself and one who is struggling?  Are they having their winter now?  How do we support those that are struggling in their life?  These are answers I will continue to seek for the next many of days.  I just know that somehow and some way I need to find a solution.  There are many great causes out there and I want to find solutions to all of them.

Seeing other souls suffer and struggle like I saw yesterday was not easy.  I know if I continue to see and demand answers, we can all find a way to reduce and eliminate suffering.

Today, I will start by committing to my growth and to give more.  The mission for me is the be the best version of myself, so I can become more to myself and others.  The secret to living is giving.

 

Today my High School is celebrating a day of giving back.  I wanted to devote today of giving back as well.

Last night, there was a group post that someone started to thank the teachers of our high school.  As a result a nice thread was created.  Naturally, I chimed in as well to thank some of the teachers that had a profound impact on my life.  I wouldn’t have become the person I am today if it wasn’t for these teachers.  All of sudden as I was writing and thinking about the teachers, students, and others involved in my high school community, I got choked up.

The great thing is that I still have great relationships with many of those people today.  We still see each other at events and reunions.  This is why I stay involved in my high school community as well as donate to the school.  Having this community is one of the great gifts that I have in which I am incredibly grateful for.

As you know following my goals, I planned on making 2018 a year that I am going to consistently give back which I set a goal of donating $1,000.  So far, I am ahead of pace at that goal.  Next year, I plan on donating more as well as getting involved in a project.

As a result of placing this initiative of giving this year, my life has been full with joy.  I have never experienced such gratitude and fulfillment by applying giving back into my life.

The great thing is that it does not take much money and it does not take much time to give.

As I mentioned in another video, we need to take care of ourselves first.  We need to make sure our glass is full before we pour water into someone else’s glass.   The great thing is many of us have the means, even if it is such a small amount we take out of our paycheck.  I myself am starting small this year.  I do not want to get overwhelmed by going from 0 to 90 mph in a second.  I want to make it challenging, but make it a reachable goal with me donating $1,000 this year.

Two easy ways to make sure we stay in a giving mode:

1. Remember every small money donation or time counts.  Even if you find something that will not exceed 30 minutes per month would be giving back.
2. Spend time with people are caring, compassionate, and those that give back.  It is like hanging out with driven people.  You eventually become driven yourself.  It is the same way where you will be inspired to give back.