Benefits of Serving

Generally speaking, it is easy to identify the impact our service has on others.  Whether it’s improving an environment, such as creating a graffiti-free park or building a safe playground, or improving a human condition, such as providing a homeless man with a place to rest his head or feeding a hungry child, you can clearly see the benefits of these selfless acts.  Likewise, when we plant trees or clean up a beach, we know our actions have positively impacted the environment.  When we nurture an animal, we can quickly see how the human touch can transform.  And, when we give or raise funds, we are hopeful that the money will help an organization continue its mission.  These types of service and the resulting benefits are endless and offer great motivation to serve.

However, there is a whole other set of benefits that doesn’t get talked about too often, the personal benefits you can experience when being of service.  Yes, you will frequently hear people say, “you get so much more than you give,” but the conversation generally ends there.  Perhaps that’s because we are taught to think that acts of service must be altruistic.  In other words, that our helping others should be completely selfless.  Well, here at Good Citizen we don’t think that has to be case.

There are enormous personal benefits to service and we are here to say that they offer legitimate reasons to get involved.  That is not to say that you should ignore The Five Commitments, in fact just the opposite.  If you approach service following The Five Commitments, you will ensure your service benefits all involved, which is the ultimate win-win.

So, what are the personal benefits of serving?  Well, they are extensive, but most importantly can be life-changing.  While we frequently explore the benefits of service here at Good-Citizen.org in detail, here are some examples:

  • Learning new skills
  • Meeting new people
  • Uniting with diverse people over a common interest
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Experiencing joy, hope and gratitude
  • Building confidence and self-esteem
  • Expanding one’s compassion and empathy
  • Seeing from a new perspective
  • Re-discovering your community
  • Finding your passion
  • Redefining yourself
  • Enhancing your resume

When Brad Jamison completed his Thirty Days of Service, he began to see things differently – his community, his fellow man, his past and his present – which ultimately transformed his life.  We at Good Citizen know that everyone has the ability, right now, to transform their own life by serving others.  Which will, in turn, transform our communities, our nation and our world.  So, give yourself permission to be a little bit selfish in your quest to serve.