Today I went to visit a shelter called L'Auberge Communautaire du Sud-Ouest. The shelter focuses on young homeless people, trying to help them go through life. The first thing is meeting their basic needs, such as food and… well, shelter. Afterwards the goal is to give them the tools they need to gain their independence, such as helping them find jobs or apartments.
I want to volunteer there because I think I can make a difference but there is also a selfish reason. Volunteering gives you satisfaction. As a species, we've evolved to feel that helping others is an essential part of our lives. Seeing that you made an positive impact in someone's life is empowering.
Volunteering is also an important part of our society. Together we can accomplish great things but to get the best of everyone's potential, we must help those who fell on hard times.
In the end, I simply urge anyone reading this to volunteer. You don't need to become Mother Theresa. You can do it simply, an hour a week, every two weeks, any kind of help is appreciated. Find a place that needs help and help them by doing something that will make you feel complete.
3 comments:
I'm glad to hear that. I've been volunteering for the past 10 years and it's been wonderful. I did all kinds of things ranging from special fundraising events in Vancouver to tutoring elementary school kids here in Montreal. Yes, it makes me feel important and it looks awesome on my c.v. However, I don't think volunteering is a selfish activity. You still need to find time, travel to your location, plan activities and other logistics. More importantly, you need to be motivated by the cause. And, that's the least selfish thing one can possess.
Personally... I think that if you are motivated by it, well you have an intrinsic reason to do it. So it is kind of selfish.
Intrinsic motivation is defined as doing something because you truly want to or you enjoy. Extrinsic motivation, however, is the opposite, it's defined as doing something for reasons external to the cause, e.g. money, status, prestige, upgraded c.v., etc.
I say if you are motivated by the fact volunteering looks great on your c.v. then you are acting in your own self-interest. If you however do something b/c you are truly motivated by the cause and it matters to you as a person, your beliefs and values, then it's intrinsic and totally unselfish.
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