Problems? Do a Service Project and They’ll Disappear

By Ryan Davis on December 9, 2011

We all have our own problems and  issues that we’re each dealing with, whether it is on a personal level, school, or work-related. Problems are an inevitable part of life. One thing that will always help in dealing with them is regaining a little perspective, and remembering that however bad your problems may be, there are thousands of people who are dealing with heavier issues than you are.

Photo from Official U.S. Navy Imagery on flickr.com

The holiday season is here now, and traditionally this is the most popular time of year for giving not only gifts, but also donating time and service to those who have tougher things that they are dealing with in life.

I would encourage anyone reading this to make it a point to at least give some monetary donation to a person or an organization this season. If you can’t bring yourself to give money to someone who needs it more than you, then perhaps you should give all of your money away because it sounds like it has become far too important in your life. Giving money is the minimum though. What I would recommend you do is take action and volunteer your time and effort.

Here’s two ideas of small things you can do that could make a difference to a lot of people:

Collect food donations - Contact a local group like the Salvation Army, United Way, a local church, shelter, or community center to see who could use some extra food donations. Pick one you feel good about and then go door to door and invite people to donate a can or box to the cause. You’ll feel good about yourself and you’ll find that you’ll also brighten others’ days by giving them the opportunity to support a good cause.

Visit a shelter, nursing home, community center – These places will have lists of things that you could help out with. Fair warning: doing them might make you feel uncomfortable at first, but when you reflect on it afterwards, you’ll feel proud of whatever it was that you did. You may sit and chat with an elderly person whose family never calls or visits, or help cook for people who have only had a handful of meals all week, or be introduced to person who is battling cancer and has an inspiring story to share.

These are just two ideas, but what you’ll find in doing these things is that those ‘problems’ that you were all worked up about before don’t seem that bad anymore.

Do some acts of service this season.

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