Something Bigger than Myself

posted 28th April 2010    Written by: Heather Rae    CATEGORY: Heather Rae, Inspiration, Season 2, Spirituality, What I've Learned

Talking about spirituality feels a bit like going to the dentist for a filling.  It doesn’t exactly hurt.  But it sure as hell isn’t comfortable.  Okay, maybe that’s just me.

To be honest, I really don’t consider myself spiritual.  I lack religious beliefs and don’t generally seek to understand the meaning of it all.  I feed my spirit in ways that makes sense to me — through art, meditation, reading, dance, volunteering.  Here’s my motto:  The best way to celebrate life is to live.  The best way to live is to do what you love.

Truth is, I don’t know the meaning of life.  I don’t know if there is a higher power.  But for me, all of that doesn’t matter.

What does matter is how I choose to contribute to the world.  What matters is how I choose to help and make a difference in the lives of others.  I do know that many people are suffering.  If I can do even a small thing to help alleviate that suffering, I have a responsibility to do just that.  I don’t hope to receive anything for my actions.  I just think it’s the right thing to do.

Earlier this week, I broached the topic of spirituality with a friend.  She said something that really clicked for me.  She said, “If you want to get in touch with your spirituality, the absolute best thing you can do is to help other people in any way you can.”

Now that’s something I can get behind.  The best way to get in touch with something bigger than myself is to do something good for someone else.

The reality is, when I donate my time or money, I generally get more out of the action than the recipient.  This may sound cliché, but it’s true.

When I started college, I was encouraged to volunteer.  It’s well known that having a litany of volunteer hours on your resume can only be helpful when applying to grad school programs.  And so I did just that.  I got involved in organizations that I felt did meaningful work; I donated my time.

I learned something from those experiences.  There’s absolutely nothing like the feeling you get from helping a child learn to read or tutoring a girl in math and helping her score high on a college entrance exam, especially when she hadn’t considered attending college in the first place.  I was a long term volunteer for the Police Athletic League after school program, and I regularly volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  I did work that mattered to me.  I learned what it was like to make a difference in someone’s life.  And it’s true – if you want to get in touch with something bigger than yourself, do something for someone else.  This, for me, is the absolute best way to see how we are all part of one world; we are all connected.

Since those college experiences, I’ve carried the habit of volunteering with me.  I’ve volunteered at food banks, raised money for causes I believe in, even took care of dogs at a local animal shelter.  And I’ve loved every minute of it.  To this day, when I feel something is missing in my life, I take a look at the philanthropic work I’m involved in.  Helping others always helps me put my own life in perspective.

I’ve started a new tradition.  When I sit down to make my list of things I would like to accomplish each year, I make sure to include something that involves helping other people. For me, it’s important to always work for causes I believe in, to make a difference in the world.  This year, I plan to volunteer at Planned Parenthood.  I’d also like to plan a volunteer trip to another country.

For me, my friend’s statement really holds true.  The absolute best way to get in touch with my spirituality is to make a positive difference in the life of someone else.

photo credit: Eddi 07

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Comments (6)

6 Responses to “Something Bigger than Myself”

  • Julie Says:
    April 28th, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    This inspires me to start volunteering too – it's something I've wanted to do for a long time.
    Another project on my list! and another reason to master my schedule and leave my job, right?

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    April 29th, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Volunteering has given me some of the greatest joy ever. Something about helping others just makes life seem so much more worth living.

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    April 30th, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I LOVE that motto. I may have to adopt it somewhere!

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    April 30th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Heather- I love how you tackled a subject that doesn't come as "naturally" with such a grace and in such a unique voice- YOUR voice.

    "What does matter is how I choose to contribute to the world. What matters is how I choose to help and make a difference in the lives of others."

    Word.

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    April 30th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    Whatever it takes! ;)

  • Eric Says:
    November 30th, 2011 at 8:08 am

    Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your wonderful views!

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