Meaningful Contribution .
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Instructions:
Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution where your focus was for the greater good of others. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
Solution.
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One of the teachings my mother taught me when young was to give back. People experience so many privileges that they are not entitled to like good health, a loving family, friends, the ability to go to school and work. Many people suffer because of poor health, depression, loneliness, insufficient funds and unemployment. The least one can do is to help those in need and provide assistance depending on their capabilities. As a result, my mother and I would frequent the various nursing homes in my home district and provide company to the residents and offer aid in the form of finances, clothes, and food. Other times would find us buying several pizza boxes and giving it to the homeless. These experiences have molded me into a kind, charitable and mature individual.
There are various rewards associated with contributing to a person’s life in a positive manner. Firstly, one feels a sense of fulfillment and appreciates their current situations (Segal and Robinson, 3). I usually feel happy and contented after spending an entire day interacting with the people at nursing homes. Secondly, my interactions with those people have resulted to new friends who have impacted me in a positive way. Nursing homes contain the elderly who are quite wise and have experienced life thus have various teachings, life lessons, and advice to give. Thirdly, it provides entertainment to the residents and reminds them that they are loved. The people at most nursing homes yearn for someone to talk to, listen to them and spend time with them. Taking the time to engage with them shows compassion and proves that they do matter. As a result reduces depression and loneliness and gives them something to expect. Fourthly, as much as it charity work, it is fun and very enjoyable. I, for instance, get to play the piano with them as they sing towards the tunes. We laugh, dance and even play games, all which are great ways to pass the time. I have also improved in some skills like interrelations, understanding people, interacting with people from diverse cultures and nurturing my talents. Therefore, Volunteer work benefits both the individuals in need and the person making the contribution.
Similar to most things in life, making
positive contributions has some challenges. Some of those nursing homes consist
of people with different cultures like language. Interacting with such due to
the language barrier is difficult. We, however, overcome thus through doing
activities that do not need talking like dancing, playing or artwork. It is
also difficult to create time to visit these homes on a regular basis due to my
other activities. Consequently, some of the residents forget who you are and
you have to start over with them. In particular, it is quite disheartening when
the people in these homes forget you due to the inconsistent visits. I,
however, try to create time and visit them at least once a month. Lastly,
financial constraints limit the ability to treat the less privileged on a
routine basis (Devi Dasi, 1). A good example is a tradition we have with my
mother for buying pizza and giving it to the less fortunate. We would love to
do it on a daily basis, but the finances limit us. It is disheartening, but
such cases find us making other charitable gestures which are also fulfilling
and helpful. In conclusion, making contributions in other people is quite
fulfilling and benefits both parties. People should, therefore, make an effort
to assist people despite the challenges associated with those experiences.
Works Cited
Devi Dasi, Krishnanandini. “The Challenges And Benefits Of Charitable Giving By Krishnanandini Devi Dasi”. Back To Godhead 2012: n. pag. Print.
Segal, Jeanne and Lawrence Robinson. Volunteering And Its Surprising Benefits. 1st ed. HELPGUIDE.ORG, 2016. Print