Quest for Happiness [Day 15]

One of my goals for this month was to start volunteering somewhere or to come up with a plan to make a difference in a life other than my own. Unfortunately I didn't have time (or make time) to get something set up just yet and it's been hard to plan for the future when everything was so up in the air. 

A worthwhile read.

A lovely friend did suggest a volunteer opportunity today that once again got the wheels in my mind turning about volunteering somewhere. It's been too long since I did something without a selfish motive lying underneath. 

I've also been reading the book Me to We, by Craig & Mark Kielburger, founders of Free The Children. They started Free the Children when they were younger than I am and have accomplished so much good in a relatively short amount of time. 

The book really lays a good foundation for many of the issues facing young people worldwide and the work being undertaken to help improve their situations. As I mentioned in a previous blog about Kony 2012 & Child Soldiers only recently have my eyes opened to the suffering young people are facing in countries around the world. This book builds on lessons I learned from the Romeo Dallaire books I read in the past. 

Sadly once I finished the Romeo Dallaire books I lost my focus on trying to make a difference even in a small way. This book has re-ignited the passion to do something, to try and help. 

Something that made me smile last weekend during Westfest was seeing a young girl and her dad playing the violin to raise money for the Because I Am A Girl project. They had information about the program and a sign saying this was the second year they had done it. Where it would be so easy to keep the money it was really nice to see someone so young taking an active role in making a difference.

I am so inspired by the work of programs like Free the Children as well as programs like the one suggested to me by my friend that support children and young people in my community. I find it challenging to commit to one program because I want to be involved in everything. 

My hope is to find a program to give my time to on a regular basis, something with children or youth. I also want to get serious about buying local, organic and ethically sourced items whenever possible. We live near a farmers market so that will be easy, but I find training my brain to look for organic products at the grocery store more difficult. 

All this to say, what makes me happy today is people who use their lives to make a difference, big or small. This includes parents who love their children, people who volunteer or work with communities at risk, buying ethical products, taking care of the environment, the list goes on. 

This is by far my deepest post of my quest so far, but sometimes it makes me happy to get deep and thoughtful. I am serious about taking action, whether big or small. As I do that I will keep you posted! 

What action are you taking to make the world a better place? What causes are near & dear to your heart?

Thanks for reading! Have a fabulous weekend!

Keep Smiling :)