Why to Volunteer?

 

Many enroll Volunteering, with the ultimate aim to make their Résumé look nice; but with few intentions to really exert a voluntary altruistic work. 

The presence of “good causes” in our “professional profile", makes us feel good, and sell more; we believe that we are more appreciated. But when much “ado About Nothing”... I mean, when we say that we are Volunteers, just to look nice at pictures, but with little or nothing real work involved. Then it is a lack of honesty. 

Volunteering is born from a profound personal reflection. We cannot impose someone else volunteering because volunteering is the result of an honest conversation with ourselves. Many of us go through life wondering: What do I need to be happy?, May it be: fight for money to arrive first place?, friendships?, love and liking to people?. However we do not realize that the straight path to happiness is to fight for the others happiness. 

How often we are grumbling about the bad state of the roads?, the poor state of education in the country?, the poor state of medical services?, etc. However, how often do we contribute directly to improve those thing that we complain about? 

Going to Work or School as a “model citizen” is not enough to improve our World. Hardly anyone will accept that they are doing less than it is possible to get things right. It is easy to believe that we do everything almost perfect. But everything in our world is not just perfect, right? If we ALL think that doing what we are doing so far, is enough, then we will only get to stay the same as today. For things to improve we need more than “standard good citizenship” 

As a professional interested in things improve, I cannot agree that Metro lines continues to be built with poor quality, or that food wasting continues. Or that my neighbors reach maturity age almost illiterate?. Why allow to continue immortalizing the bad practices that lead to things so poorly constructed, dangerous and soon stop working, generating more costs and less economic momentum in our society? 

I can contribute by promoting the culture of good project management. Why keep doing things the “Chilazo” way (“there-it-goes way”), unprofessionally, if they can be done professionally? 

Compassion and empathy are values that are difficult to feign or pretend. Being a Volunteer is to stop being just an opinionated spectator. When you only judge without acting, you are poisoning your soul. Even more, you''re part of the cause of the situation that you complain about (“Sois la ocasión de lo mismo que culpái“: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz) 

Give voluntarily, is to become a, full, responsible human being. Accountable of ourselves, our actions, and our environment. It is an advanced state of assertiveness. To become a genuine voluntary and not just glorify our personality 

We do not need to be wealthy to be able to give. By giving volunteer work, we suddenly realize we earn more than double with a single effort, because we enrich our soul; improving the life of someone else; and also we contribute to spread and expand the spirit of brotherhood and humanity. 

A beloved teacher made us memorize the following verse. At that time I was not aware of the great truth that enclosed, I share it below: 

"Voy con las riendas tensas 
y refrenando el vuelo, 
porque no es lo que importa llegar pronto ni solo, 
sino llegar con todos y a tiempo". 

"I go with the tight rein 
and holding it, 
because it is not what matters to arrive early and alone, 
but with all and on time". 

León Felipe