"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." - Flora Edwards

We see ourselves as volunteers who help others without expecting or receiving anything in return. But often, life throws lessons at us when we least expect it. Lessons that can help us, like the way we have helped others.

Lesson #1

"If you don't learn to laugh at troubles, you won't have anything to laugh at when you grow old." - Edward W. Howe

Some of the elderly may be suffering from illnesses but yet they take things in their stride and even poke fun at themselves. Mdm Ong is an example of such a person. She laughs at the fact that her amount of medicine is large enough to fill up one entire plastic bag, she laughs at the fact that when she watches tv, all she sees are drama serials portraying patients in hospital, people who are ill like herself. She laughs at herself and her troubles, something we can all learn from. When things go wrong, we often worry too much and yet worrying doesnt change a thing. We should laugh at our mistakes, learn from them and move on. No more unneccessary worrying and certainly no harm with extra laughter!!

Lesson #2

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

Should there be one day when we feel like volunteeing is taking up time that could be otherwise well spent, remember that sacrificing a few hours of our weekends to make someone's day is worth time spent anywhere else. Every small gesture we make has the potential to make someone's day and ultimately, friendships and relationships formed are those that really matter and those that will stand the test of time.

At the end of the day, seeing the happiness on the elderly's faces is the best gift we can ever ask for in return.

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone." - Dr. Loretta Scott


Kia Boon