My daughter and I volunteered at our local homeless shelter today and had the humbling honor of serving hot meals to more than 150 fellow humans who would’ve otherwise gone hungry without this generous community resource. This experience reminded me of three important things:
- Gratitude is a powerful force. When you feel your life is lacking or you aren’t enough, remind yourself there are others suffering a great deal more than you are. Pause and reflect on all you have to be thankful for in your life right in this moment. Today, I reflected on my own gratitude for my health, my loved ones, my comfortable home, and my well-stocked kitchen.
- Giving back is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help yourself feel better and add purpose to your life. Helping others in need, committing a random act of kindness, or lending a hand to a stranger adds just as much positivity to your life as it does to theirs. With each plate of food I served today, I felt a warmth in my heart knowing I was helping people with far less than me feel a little bit better.
- All humans deserve to feel respected and valued in a judgment-free way. Regardless of appearance, social status, education, or resources, people simply want to be loved and accepted for who they are. Today, I delivered each meal with a smile and eye contact that said I see you and I value you as a fellow human.
These humbling life experiences can have many positive effects on our mental, emotional, and social wellness. I appreciate the 150+ people today who touched the hearts of me and my baby.
What will you do this week to embrace the healing powers that come from helping others?
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Very thoughtful post! Thank you for reminding us to look outside of ourselves.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading and sharing your reflection!