volunteerism

For every God-given goal, He gives grace to accomplish it.

I devote my life in service of humanity.

Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.

The point at which things happen is a decision. In stead of focusing on yourself, focus on how you can help someone else.

The beauty of life is sharing life.

If it has to be done, take the responsibility to do it.

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.

Joyfully we undertake our daily work.

I interviewed my dad on video in his final weeks. When I asked about his work and finding meaning through helping others, he responded, "I don't think you can be focused on, 'Oh gee, I want to make a difference.' It has to be spontaneous. If it's not...there's some kind of egotistical thing going on. That's a red flag. You hope you impact people on the deepest level you are capable of at the time. Sometimes you hit it, sometimes you don't. You're trying.

That churchgoers do the lion's share of the charitable work in our communities is simply untrue. They get credit for it because they do a better job of tying the good works they do to their creed. But according to a 1998 study, 82% of volunteerism by churchgoers falls under the rubric of "church maintenance" activities -- volunteerism entirely within, and for the benefit of, the church building and immediate church community. As a result of this siphoning of volunteer energy into the care and feeding of churches themselves, most of the volunteering that happens out in the larger community -- from AIDS hospices to food shelves to international aid workers to those feeding the hungry and housing the homeless and caring for the elderly -- comes from the category of "unchurched" volunteers.

To ease another__ heartache is to forget one__ own.

My old man says when it's time to be counted, the important thing is to be man enough to stand up.

There were many, many times thereafter that Don regretted having enlisted - but so has every man who ever volunteered for military service.

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.

Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don't live in a world all of your own.

Allow the way to your great work to be guided by your service to others.

The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed is the nourishment the soul requires.

The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.