Give a little.

This week my friend and colleague Kennedy participated in Project Homeless Connect. Project Homeless Connect is a one-day event in Salt Lake City that brings together community volunteers to provide services for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The services provided are haircuts, legal advice, financial advice, health care, pet care and so much more. Kennedy and her salon volunteered providing haircuts for individuals in need.
              
Unfortunately, this year and last year I’ve been unable to participate in this event, however I do participate in volunteering at Queer Prom in the beauty bar providing free hairstyling for LGBTQ youth who attend the prom, and I teach a free yoga classes every Wednesday at the Maliheh Free Clinic for their patients and volunteers.
              
Volunteering is a beautiful gift to offer to the community and yourself, I once read that if you are unsure what to do with your life or need direction to go and volunteer. Not only do non-profits need volunteer help and support, but what a person can experience from volunteering can shift their perception dramatically. There are multiple benefits to one’s mental wellbeing by volunteering, it can help combat depression and counteract the effects of stress, anxiety, and anger while providing a sense of well-being. It can also improve one’s self confidence and give and individual a sense of purpose.

Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore different interests that can lead to passions. Doing volunteer work, one may find meaningful and interesting or it can be a relaxing or energizing. Volunteering is a wonderful way to mix up the day-to-day routine of work, school, or other commitments. Volunteering can provide a renewed sense of creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life, not to mention colleges and the work force love to see volunteer work on a resumes and applications.
              
In the world we live in of social media and how many followers we have, online dating, Uber Eats, online shopping, Siri, and the instant gratification of the 21st century, I feel that individuals live in this idea of ‘what the world can offer me’ rather than ‘what can I offer to the world’.  There is not a single person in the world like you or me, no one can offer what you have to offer, whatever that maybe, instead of standing around, waiting for the world to offer you something, offer the world something. You’ll be surprised of what can happen when you give a little. To receive you need to give, and give for the sake of giving, not for the return of payment, good karma, or anything else, give because you can, and for no other reason.
               
The world is difficult enough as it is, let’s help each other out. My dear friend Heidi spends time taking care of cat colonies throughout Salt Lake, Kennedy gives back to homeless youth and the LGTBQ community, my friend Charlie helps adopt, foster, and care for dogs, drag queens volunteer their time to have story hours for children at local libraries. There is so much work that could be done, give a little to others and be surprised by how it can transform your own life.
              
To learn more about volunteering and the benefits it can offer, check out https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
              
Warmest regards,
              
​ DJH