Australians hate whingers! Here in the Shire it would seem that we are in some kind of bubble protected from the catastrophes that continually assail the rest of the world. While thousands are left homeless in the USA after the financial meltdown, I complain that the price of real estate has been stagnant in Cronulla!
People are washed away by floods and tidal waves but I whinge that the hot summer sun has destroyed my lawn! While earthquakes destroy other peoples homes I whinge that mine needs renovating.
Clearly I need a reality check. If you ever seriously want a reality check go do some community service. It will stop you whingeing. It seems that I’m not the only one and now some of our local universities are introducing community service courses into their curriculum. Why I wondered?
Being the eternal cynic that I am, I called up and asked a simple question. Community Service – Why do it? Here are some of the answers I got.
“Asking why I incorporate community service into my teaching is a little like asking why I incorporate breathing into living.” Bob Hansman, Associate Professor, UNSW
“Ultimately, community service can be very instructive for you and for others. It forces you to look at yourself in the mirror.” Steve Ehrlich
“You are not just doing something for somebody else. It is not a charity case. It is a service. And if you open yourself up to the experience, it’s helping you just as much as it is helping them.” Phyllis Jackson.
“When you do medicine in Uni, there’s a lot of work, so you have to take a break. And I’ve made Community Service my break. That way I get away from the school and the University bubble. And it’s just refreshing and it reenergizes me.” Cindy Zhang
“There are at least two benefits to doing community service. Clearly we can support each other with our efforts and initiatives; we can raise money for cancer research and we can make sure that hungry people are fed. Even still, the worst thing in the world is to feel alone. At least half of the Support we do with community service is simply letting other people know that we’re here and we care.” Matt Zinter
“Community service has helped me to realize the contradictions that we live in. We say that everyone in this country has the same opportunities but that is not true. Through service I see the effects of that.” Eric Scroggins
“A fulfilling and meaningful life is created through service to others. I believe that doing community service grounds my values and morals and helps me to make the most of my life.” Elizabeth Kramer.
“Accumulating concepts and ideas will make you an intelligent person, but to be a great person you must utilize that intelligence to have a beneficial impact on our society.” Achal Upadhyaya.
“There are so many people who have to get by with all types of nothing, whether it’s no food, no affection, no education, or no respect. To alleviate any degree of any burden – to make something better – is, for me, the pinnacle of accomplishment and hope.” Alaina Smith.
“When you learn about different people, you can respect each other more and you can not be fearful. You think they are just so different and their lives are so different from ours. And that’s not true.” Amy Finnegan
“Community Service has taught me to be myself. When you are helping people or making a difference, there is no time to be self-conscious. Community service has also taught me that anything is possible.” David Shepard
“When it comes to community service, sometimes it can be rewarding to help raise money. However, it can be far more fulfilling to establish direct relationships with members of the community. Direct experiences throughout my uni career affected me profoundly as I learned from individuals coming from all walks of life. With direct contact, I often feel that I receive far more than what I give. Get directly involved with a community, be consistent. Keep it up. You won’t regret it.” Eugenia Legarda
“Although community service has helped me to appreciate what I have, it has also taught me how happy people can be without things that I think of as necessities.” Hillary Bridges
“I am more patient because of community service. I appreciate what I have more because of community service. I also appreciate hard work.” Jeanné Lewis
“Community Service serves as a reality check and an inspiration to continue bettering society” Jenna Kaufman
“I have learned the importance of human relationships and the importance of listening. Sometimes that’s all people want, for someone to listen.” Julie Venci
“You have to be real about what’s going on in the world today. If you really are honest about what is going on in the world, I don’t see how you can not want to do something.” Kate Rowe
“Community service has kept me humble and grounded.” Kelsey Times
“Service has taught me courage, compassion, love, appreciation, teamwork, humility. I have seen hardship and pain and the power that a simple act of kindness holds. And I have been forever changed by the people I have met, worked with, and served.” Laura Chicoine
“Community service has made me a better person. I am more willing to see other sides of a story, more aware of the great diversity in the world, and more willing to do more for people outside of my immediate community of friends and family.” Luz Silverio
“I believe that in order to thoroughly understand your community, you have to be involved in it.” Sara Lense
“The more community service I do, the more that I believe that it is very self motivating. It is both a humbling and a growing experience. It keeps me sane.” Suan Yeo
“Each time you do some kind of service for someone, you have the opportunity to learn new ideas, discover new perspectives, and ultimately grow as an individual.” Tobi Lee
The message that I got from the quotes above is that we can often help ourselves by helping someone else. If that idea interests you have a look at the opportunities on the Volunteer Link website at www.volunteerlink.org.au
Failing volunteer work the idea is simply to participate in your community. Have a look at the Community Noticeboard on pages 7 and 8 to see a whole range of activities happening on a regular basis in our beautiful community. Why not get out there and get involved in some? Oh yeah – and stop whingeing!
Larry Jamieson