Volunteerism is an essential ingredient of a culture of solidarity and humanism.
It translates philosophy into practical actions that foster responsibility,
tolerance and respect, while bringing profound changes in the volunteers.
In the light of philosophy in the classical manner, volunteering is an action, a
specific work that requires the quality of generosity. Voluntary service is just
that – voluntary. It is an act of free will. It requires that we consciously
choose to place our whole being into action and be present to the other,
forgetting our own self-centredness. The spirit and action of volunteering is to
constantly improve the quality of our giving.
Today, we hear about children and youth being required to fulfill “volunteer”
hours before they can graduate. Can we mandate ‘voluntary’ service? Or is
volunteering something fashionable? Can volunteerism truly be made into
something to be logged and checked off?
Volunteering is made of actions close to the heart that enable us to cultivate
and provide each time something more useful and beneficial. We have many
opportunities to learn to act generously, to give what is needed and is
appropriate at the best time and in the best way possible in our daily lives.
This brings more energy and enthusiasm and gives the spirit of voluntary service
which can transform a person, a situation, and our world.
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