| There are many things we think about when first | | | | 3. Habitat for Humanity - this organization builds |
| contemplating happiness. Most of them are, for the | | | | homes for underprivileged people and always need |
| most part, a little self-centered. By nature, we think | | | | help. If you have any carpentry skills at all, or would |
| of ourselves first I guess. This is based on our | | | | even be prepared to learn some, this would be a |
| instinct of self-preservation, which is built into our | | | | great place to volunteer. |
| genetic code. So when we think about finding more | | | | 4. RIF.org - you can help adults and kids that are |
| happiness, we consider things like spending quality | | | | unable to read by volunteering with Reading Is |
| time with our family, taking time for a fun hobby, | | | | Fundamental organization. There are chapters in |
| seeking more spiritual peace, things like that. The list | | | | every state, or you can start your own if you have |
| varies with everyone, but you get the idea. | | | | the resources. |
| Recently I've noticed more stories about people | | | | 5. Hospitals - nearly all hospitals have volunteer |
| helping others, either in the context of giving money | | | | programs, where you can provide needed help as a |
| to charities or on a volunteer basis for local | | | | patient representative, information desk staff, or |
| organizations. After doing some checking on this, I | | | | clerical worker. |
| thought what a great idea to find more ways to give | | | | 6. Libraries - many have programs that allow people |
| to others as a way to greatly increase our own | | | | to help with routine tasks like restocking books. Since |
| happiness in life. Most of us have heard this concept | | | | these are usually funded by local city or county |
| before, that is feels good to help others. But how | | | | funds, they always need volunteers. |
| many of us practice is on a regular basis? I know I'm | | | | 7. United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army - all are in |
| guilty of not helping others as much as I could. In the | | | | dire need of help throughout the year and have |
| Buddhist religion, one of the basis tenets is that the | | | | many affiliates located throughout the country. |
| way to a better life is by becoming less selfish, and | | | | 8. Environmental groups - if you are inclined to be |
| developing a consistent pattern of helping others. So | | | | environmentally conscious this is perfect for you. The |
| with that in mind, how can we help others? Do we | | | | Sierra Club and others do great work and we all |
| quit our jobs and join the Peace Corps? That would | | | | know this is a growing trend that is critical to our |
| be a little extreme, besides there are a bunch of | | | | planets survival. |
| things we can do in our own community to be of | | | | Ok, these are just a few ideas. You can contact |
| great benefit to others. Here is a list! | | | | your city or county where you live to find others, |
| 1. Homeless shelters - almost every sizable town has | | | | but the point is it feels good to help others no |
| at least one of these, and in hard times (like now) | | | | matter what the cause. There are many side |
| they are overflowing in most cities. There are many | | | | benefits as well, getting to make new friends, |
| tasks that need to be done in these places from | | | | learning things you never knew about the particular |
| preparing food, doing office chores, management of | | | | group you are helping. But the main thing is knowing |
| other people, delivering and stocking supplies, etc. | | | | you have changed other peoples lives for the better, |
| 2. Food banks - again, most cities have one. They | | | | which you cannot put a price tag on. Doesn't that |
| server not only homeless but also the | | | | sound like a recipe for happiness? |
| "under-employed" where families don't have enough | | | | To your continued success and happiness! |
| money to feed the family. | | | | |