By Ariel Colhoun Passionate about increasing the sphere of influence for women & driving positive change.
Gift giving is on everyone's mind when it comes to the month of December - mostly due to the fact that we are bombarded with shopping information on what to buy everywhere we look whether in print, social media, television and more. But we all know that the holiday season is much more than just material possessions - the holiday season is a time for reflection. It's a time to review the past 11 months and self-reflect on what you have learned, how you can improve, and how you can make a difference in the new year ahead.
So what can one person do to make a difference?
We all can make the difference in the lives of others in a variety of ways but we think one of the best ways to give to others is the gift of your time. When you volunteer your time to help others, you cannot put a price tag on the value of the social connectivity benefits derived. And we all know the saying, "The best things in life are free."
When you volunteer your time, the benefits are reciprocal. Volunteering can:
Provide a sense of purpose in life & be a game-changing experience
Empower others, support your community & build connections
Reduce loneliness
Boost self-esteem
Improve overall well-being
Help you step outside of your comfort zone & learn something new
Keep your brain active & healthy (mounting evidence also suggests volunteering can reduce the risk of dementia)
May reduce cognitive decline through mental activity, & social & physical contact
Can help people deal with depression, loss or grief
Meeting new people can boost brain chemical such as serotonin & dopamine (the natural 'feel-good' chemicals in your brain)
Reduce stress & anxiety
Increase your positive outlook on life & reduce negativity
Help others learn from your gifts of passion & share with others the things that you are good at to directly support your community - be a mentor
Be fun & result in blessings for everyone!
Choosing where to donate your time can be overwhelming but to help narrow it down, here's a few ideas to get you going:
Volunteer on vacation - If you are going on vacation this season, make sure to incorporate volunteering as part of you travel plans. Learn to open your heart & your mind to giving the gift of your time to those of different cultures or living situations.
Become a mentor - We all know what we are good at & love to do the most, so why not share your skills with someone else? And we also know that all it takes is one caring person to make a life-long impact on another person's life.
Answer an urgent call to action - nowadays it seems like there is no end to issues that may require immediate attention from a natural disaster to someone who may have a family to support & recently lost his/her job, to a newcomer in your neighbourhood, to an elderly neighbour who may live alone & needs help shovelling their driveway when it's snowing. Be sure to check with your local community centre, newspaper, social media community group or local school - the possibilities to give the gift of your time are endless.
There is no question of the direct positive relationship of giving the gift of your time to others. We all know giving is good for not only your soul, but those you share your gifts of time with. So turn your passion in to action, and this holiday season, give the gift of your time.
And when all is said and done you may realize:
You are stronger than you ever thought you were capable.
You are able to do more than you could ever imagine.
You can make a difference.
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any product/service.
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