By Porsche Miles-Grant
“For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s LOVE and concern for each other.” -Millard Fuller
Do you love the community that you reside in? Are you concerned for the community you reside in? What have you done for the community lately? For many, we are simply trying to live our lives, and get through the day. With an increase of bills, and social stresses, it may be difficult to be able to think of anyone or anything else. However, when you think about it, we are only as successful as the community we live in. Therefore, it is critical that we take some time out of our busy lives and make time for others. Devote time into giving back to our community, because without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life.
Our efforts are important to the person who servers as well as the recipient. If we want to see a change, we need to be the change! Giving back to the community helps to enrich ones values, practices, and beliefs. If you are an individual that protest that you are for helping others, and giving back, your actions need to be a reflection of that claim. Ultimately, you contributions to the community impact your very own growth and development. You begin to feel better about yourself and the community you live in. In return, as you give, others will follow suite. In the words of Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
It’s time that we put away our selfish ways for the betterment of the community, and understand that everyone is capable of being great. Serving allows us to make a difference in the lives of others. We are no longer valuing individuals by what they have, and who they are. We are now focusing on what it is that you do for others, and your ability to serve. Your influences, offerings, aid, and charities are not only greatly appreciated, but they trump your needs to be selfish. Understand this, alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much. Join forces with your community today, to make a difference in your community tomorrow.
Porsche Miles-Grant is the Community Engagement Coordinator at CASE Credit Union. Contact her at 517.367.1001 or send an email to Pmilesgrant@casecu.org. Log on to www.casecu.org for more information.
This article was printed in the January 24, 2016 – February 5, 2016 edition.
