by Dilynn Wise
From Oxford dictionary the definition of volunteer is as follows:
volunteer noun /ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r) /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/
1. a person who does a job without being paid for it
Schools need volunteers to help children to read. Volunteer helpers/carers
2. a person who offers to do something without being forced to do it.
Are there any volunteers to help clear up?
volunteer verb /ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r) /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/
[intransitive, transitive] to offer to do something without being forced to do it or without getting paid for it
This definition comes to mind often, frequently, repeatedly when a project or task arises. This word is important to the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly function of our lives. Things don’t really just magically happen all by themselves. If you want a party, someone will have to organize it or plan it. If decorations need to be put up there will also need to be people (hopefully many people) to get them out of storage, and set them all up, many hands make light work.
There are so many things that rely on the support of volunteers to step up and lend a helping hand, to accomplish a task, and get the job done. Without these people coming forward, those tasks/jobs will not happen. And expecting it to happen just because someone always has in the past, doesn’t mean they will all the time.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn.
If there is something you enjoy doing or seeing, find out how it “magically happens”. Be apart of that magic. Perhaps you will feel the happiness from others fill your whole body in a way just watching never has. Volunteering rewards your soul in a manner that is intangible and can never be given a monetary equivalent.