Sunday, June 11, 2006

VOLUNTEERING

A few months back I was talking to one of the AID volunteers (actually I know only one). He was telling me about the organization, how it works, what is their goal and so on. Soon I caught his enthusiasm and was all ready to go out and help the less privileged and “be the change” as he puts it. I made big plans about doing this and that… two months later, I was still planning. I was waiting for the right time you see, a time when I would be comparatively free.
Isn’t this the story with almost all of us? We do want to help, but are so engrossed in our own lives that we just don’t have the time and energy left for anything else. Once in a while when we do stop to catch our breadth we realize that we aren’t doing what we wanted to and have given in to the mechanical lifestyle. And then we are filled with guilt with soon replaced by bigger plans and some more procrastination.
Now, what I don’t understand here is… who asked us to do big things. I mean let’s face it, not all of us can dedicate our lives to this. But we do want to help… don’t we? As my friend suggested to me that I could collect money… say put a few rupees whatever amount I can in a box everyday and then use that money for some worthy cause. And as I start to think of ways to utilize the money, I would be more involved with the volunteering work. Isn’t this simple?
But first I guess we need to change the way we think. All of us have our own share of joy and sorrow. And seeing someone else’s problems doesn’t make ours any smaller or less important, but it does help us appreciate what we have and use it wisely. We don’t need to go out and solve the poor man’s problems; we need to help him become self sufficient to solve his own problems. All we need to do is share a small part of whatever we have with someone who doesn’t have much. Even if we can bring a smile across the tired faces and make even a day easier for them, we would have done our bit.

4 comments:

Nidhi said...

Hey Sups.
Yeah, i agree. We all keep procrastinating, not just for these causes, but fir everything we think can wait... we are like, no not now, maybe next week, or next month, or when i get thru my exam, or maybe if i get a certain number of marks, after a party, and the blah. but yes, no one needs to tell us to make us realise that we are just trying to avoid it, because we think we have better things to do.
At this stage, whn we are dependant on our parents, at least financially... it is not necessary to contribute financially. actually, contributing your mindspace is going to work better too. You don't even necessarily have to be part of an organization. Be good to a poor child, or smile at a disabled person... it is going to make your day. Talk, relate to the underpriviledged.. it is going to make them feel that yes, they do belong here.. and there are people who care.
Only when we've done things like these, we can want to do more things and help in a bigger way.
The rich and the famous also claim to help... they contribute millions to charity... and maybe, in actual sense, financial aid is much more important.. but, that is not the only way to help.No, i know sups tht your post isnt abt financial aid, but to most people, this is the only way they think they should help.. that's not the case, right?
Make them feel better, and your world will be a better place too
:)
Love,
Devil's own

Siddharth Tripathy said...

good reading...will keep reading you-siddharth tripathy

Rohit Mahajan said...

The needy, with expecting eyes, when told that his problems would be solved, is the most satisfied person. Its about the intentions, and thereafter the effect that one brings. I think you already have made the first step towards it, and what is needed now, is contribution in whatever way possible. Yeah, its not only about financial help, we can contribute in numerous other ways. Remember the wordings of the famous 'USA for Africa' song

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

:) Keep up the good work sups!

Anonymous said...

UPDATE!!!!