Volunteer

  

Monday March 7 2011

Day 9 Volunteer

I have taken the next three days off for a trauma conference, but today I volunteer at the conference with registration.  When I originally plan for these things, they appear as a good idea, but when the day comes I think “What did I do?”  My days off are sacred, and I use them sparingly, so why volunteer?Sometimes I truly think I am crazy, all my days at work are spent dealing with trauma and I am going to take personal time to hear about more of it?  I get five weeks off a year, and so far have only utilized it by visiting a neighboring island.  Why take time off and volunteer ?

Earlier last year I made a commitment to myself to try to volunteer bimonthly.  That has so culminated into three experiences of volunteer work.  It’s good to take you out of your element and give back to the community in some way.

The new trend in tourism is volunteer tourism.  You take a piece of your trip and devote it to helping a preplanned cause or organization.  The connection and peace felt while volunteering stays with you.  As you reach out to your loved ones to talk of this experience, hopefully it will become contagious. 

Annually my grandmother, a Philadelphia psychiatrist, organizes a medical mission in the Philippines.  She takes supporting funds from local pharmaceutical representatives and self, connects medical peers, and goes into rural communities to provide brief health care.  I always admired this quality about her, and have helped her on a previous occasion. 

When you travel, you experience the kindness of strangers.  Why not give back,  even if only for several hours?  Volunteering during a piece of your trip truly enriches the experience.  Hours will have already been devoted to sightseeing, playing, relaxing, eating, and drinking.  Take a piece and give back.