Giving to other people is one of the most effective ways to change and improve your own life. Through volunteer service, you can use your talents and skills to help solve a local or global problem. Nothing can compare to seeing the direct impact that your work has on filling urgent needs in your neighborhood or making a meaningful difference to someone else. Changing the world can change our own lives as well.
Although most of us lead busy lives, it’s possible to make a contribution in a way that doesn’t require a lot of time and can even reduce stress. Here are a few simple ways that you can make a meaningful impact and also improve your own life:
1. Start Clipping
Not everyone can afford to buy the food they need for their families, and there are ways you can help—even while strolling down the supermarket aisles. If you cut out coupons, be sure to clip the offers that you don’t plan to use in addition to the coupons for products that regularly appear on your grocery list. For example, if you have no need to buy baby formula or diapers, cut out those coupons anyway. Then, when you’re in the grocery store and passing through the baby aisle, place the coupons that you don’t need on the shelves. You never know who will be coming along behind you. You might help a mother on WIC or food stamps save several dollars, which she can use to buy some fresh fruits and vegetables for her family.
2. Give Someone a Job
Unemployment is still soaring, and many people are out of work. If you’re fortunate enough to be employed, look to see if your company is hiring. If so, think about whether or not you know of anyone who would be a good fit for one of the open positions. As a current employee, you can provide a reference for someone, and this can help them land a new job. If they’re hired, an added benefit is that you may receive a referral bonus from your company.
3. Clean Up
If you haven’t worn an item in your closet over the past year, chances are you’ll never wear it again in your life. Go ahead and get rid of that extra baggage. Free yourself from clothes that don’t fit and don’t flatter your body!
Volunteering enables you to form connections with other people and help solve the world problems we face. By making efforts to give to others, even if it’s as simple as cutting coupons, you can make an impact and also improve your own life.
