Volunteering: A Way To Keep Your Mind Happy
Have you ever noticed how your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy? One minute you love your job, the next day, you’re fed up and want to quit. Last week you woke up every morning with a smile and a spring in your step, this week you have to pull yourself out of bed when the alarm goes off, and you’re complaining more and more.
When our energy gets depleted by eating the wrong food, not sleeping on time, overthinking, worrying, complaining, grief and other negative emotions – then life is no longer a celebration; it’s miserable.
One way to foster a positive mindset is to be of service to others, as a way of life. This can be as simple as performing random acts of kindness, such as keeping bags of food and water in the car for the homeless or dropping off supplies at your local school. You also might consider taking it a step further, and volunteer with a non-profit, or another organization in your community.
One thing is for sure – when you are of service to others, expecting nothing in return, happiness will bubble up from within, and your mind can’t help but shift into positivity.
There are so many benefits to being a volunteer. It helps you to feel more connected with others, it can bring up talents and skills you may not have been aware of, and it creates a sense of expansion. Volunteering may not always be convenient, but it’s always fulfilling.
Sometimes we hesitate to volunteer, because we have concepts about what it means to be of service. We might think we’re going to lose some freedom by taking a commitment to be responsible outside of, “my life, my family, my job, my needs.” Establishing human values in society, such as compassion, non-violence, caring for the planet and caring for others, requires a shift from individual to universal consciousness. When you see the whole world as your family, a more compassionate and peaceful planet is possible, and you’re happier.
Another reason you might not step up to volunteer, is because you aren’t sure you have what it takes. Or, you feel uncomfortable moving out of your comfort zone. The truth is that we simply don’t know our own capacity. Being of service to others, actually expands our comfort zone, which also expands our consciousness. It’s one of the quickest ways to progress on the spiritual path.
Have you ever noticed what happens when you take a step toward helping others? Nature provides all the resources needed to get the job done. I was a key volunteer with Special Olympics for more than 15 years. During my first orientation meeting, I was appointed as the Volunteer Coordinator for the biggest sports competition of the year. When I met with the director to find out what my responsibilities included, I almost fell off my chair when she casually mentioned that I had three weeks to find and organize 1,300 volunteers! No one was more surprised than me, when more people than that showed up at Volunteer Check-In, for the opening games.
Another big bonus of volunteering is its positive effect on our fickle mind, that tends to overthink and worry about small things. Once you start sharing others’ joy and sorrows, your own problems will appear smaller, and more manageable. All you have to do is show up; the rest just happens on its own.
Since the pandemic, I’m not traveling like I used to, which is giving me more time to connect with my community. A few weeks ago, I became a volunteer with Spirit Ride, a therapeutic riding center for children with a variety of diagnoses. Unless I’m teaching, my Sunday afternoons are dedicated to uplifting children and their families through therapeutic horseback riding. I’ll admit I’m pretty tired afterward, but every Sunday night I fall asleep incredibly happy and fulfilled.
Don’t wait to be of service to others, or think that you should only do it when you feel good. When your mind is disturbed, that’s the time to ask “What can I do for you?” The very act of being there for someone else, will bring a huge shift from within and put a genuine smile on your own face.
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Sign up for my free, e-seminar: 3 Tips to Becoming Unshakeable, at www.pattimontella.com. You will learn practical wisdom for becoming unshakeable in life, along with several breathing techniques and meditations to clear, calm and energize your whole system.
Patti Montella is a thought leader, best-selling author, international speaker and a senior faculty member with the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values. She has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people worldwide, through the wisdom of the ancient Yogic Sciences, for over 25 years. Patti can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & YouTube.
