Keep in Good Health With the Spirit of Giving
By Celia C. Peters, AOL BlackVoices
"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of selfishness. This is the judgment. Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ " -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of deep faith in God and in the God that he saw within other human beings. His vision of humanity was one of people elevated beyond injustice and cruelty, and he worked to uplift humanity through sacrifice. As a living activist and leader, King dedicated his life to his movement for civil rights, human rights and non-violence – for the betterment of all people’s lives: black, white, brown, red and yellow; rich and poor; Democrat and Republican. As a slain martyr, he literally sacrificed his life for what he believed in, and as a result, millions of people have benefited from the struggles of Dr. King and his fellow activists.
In the spirit of Dr. King’s selflessness, there is something we all can do in our lives to keep his dream living in a very real way. Giving your attention and time to others is one of the highest forms of sacrifice possible. Every one of us can identify someone less fortunate than we are, whether because of economic hardship, medical disability, or mental or social disadvantages. Volunteering even an hour of your time on a weekly or monthly basis is the ultimate way to give thanks for the blessings in your life – by passing them on.
Service to others takes many forms. Most churches and other places of worship welcome extra hands and warm hearts that will help them support their parishioners; hospitals and nursing homes always seek volunteers to keep long-term patients and clients in good cheer by visiting and keeping them company; social service organizations are constantly in need of auxiliary personnel to support their clients; as well, everyone has someone in their own family who may be struggling. All of us have at least one special gift or talent or thing that we do well. Sharing that gift – by making someone laugh, cooking a delicious meal for someone who can’t do it themselves, helping a senior citizen navigate the Internet, teaching someone to read, telling a child a story, taking a homeless mom to the grocery story – these are the sorts of small sacrifices that cost the volunteer very little, but give much in return.
In addition to the traditional benefits of volunteering (networking opportunities, developing new skills, etc.), studies have shown very real health benefits to giving time and attention to others in service. First and foremost, service to others improves self-esteem and self-confidence, which tends to improve all other areas of life. As well, volunteering provides a so-called “helper’s high”: a feeling of emotional and physical euphoria that lasts for days or weeks, and also seeps into other segments of life. Otherwise, volunteers tend to be more optimistic (after all, if you are doing good, you know others will too); they tend to have more energy and less pain. Interestingly, the immune systems of volunteers seem to be stronger. People who engage in service to others also experience more relaxation and sleep better. Not surprisingly, volunteers have fewer feelings of depression and loneliness; making a difference in someone else’s life gives a sense of purpose and in turn shows that you are needed. Mental well-being and getting enough sleep are critical to good physical health.
Dr. King clearly saw the many values of sacrifice and, like a true leader, he both spoke and lived this message. He understood that taking care of one’s neighbor is the key to making our communities stronger. He also believed that every person, regardless of their circumstances, has the power to lift themselves up; sometimes he or she may need help – and the helping hand that empowers someone else can be the catalyst to a lifetime of positive change. Dr. King’s dream challenges us to look beyond our own lives and reach out to others, regardless of our differences, to work for equality for all. Working together, on no matter how small or big of a scale, bridges barriers and creates a better world for all of us. Volunteering is something that can be done by people of all ages --- kids, adults and senior citizens – because each of us has something to offer to someone. Giving to those in your community is a meaningful way to honor the gift that Dr. King gave to us: the promise of a better life.
To locate volunteer opportunities in your community, contact your local house of worship, hospitals, nursing or convalescent homes, homeless shelters, social service agencies or visit the Points of Light Foundation at www.pointsoflight.org for a listing of local agencies seeking volunteers.