Dictionaries will define volunteerism as doing acts of labour in community service. I will define volunteerism as a verb very strongly linked to love. To me, volunteerism is about being in love, and reflecting it through actions. When Mother Teresa helped the dying and the destitute in Calcutta, she was criticised as doing something redundant and useless. The first lady she took in was rotting by the side-walk, with rats nibbling at her flesh. Within a few days in Mother Teresa's care, she died. Other works done by Mother Teresa was starting a committee where those who were sick would write letters to volunteers all over the world. People would question; why waste energy and resources into something that does not necessarily lead to results? The answer is love. Her main aim was not to cure the dying or the sick. Her main aim was to love them with all her heart because her energy and her love was the only thing she had. The doctors can cure the sick, economists can cure the economy, but Mother Teresa could cure dying and lonely hearts. And that was what she did.
Throughout her life, she stressed her volunteers not on the work that they did and the effect it could have, but on the love they put into it. If you are feeding the poor, make sure the food is fresh. If you are teaching children, make sure they are actually gaining. Do it with patience. Most importantly, do it with love. Only with love will you put attention onto details. Only with love will you strive to perfect your work. Only with love will it actually matter.
So my dearest volunteers, ask yourself. Why are you volunteering? Is it to release yourself from emotional arousal? Is it to decorate your resumes? Or is it for the love you feel for others? If it is for love, let it be anything. From the smallest thing such as collecting a single litter you see on your way, to the biggest thing, like dedicating your whole life to a cause. Whatever it is you do, love it. And know that you are the reason I love what I do.
With faith and love,
Zulaikha
Throughout her life, she stressed her volunteers not on the work that they did and the effect it could have, but on the love they put into it. If you are feeding the poor, make sure the food is fresh. If you are teaching children, make sure they are actually gaining. Do it with patience. Most importantly, do it with love. Only with love will you put attention onto details. Only with love will you strive to perfect your work. Only with love will it actually matter.
So my dearest volunteers, ask yourself. Why are you volunteering? Is it to release yourself from emotional arousal? Is it to decorate your resumes? Or is it for the love you feel for others? If it is for love, let it be anything. From the smallest thing such as collecting a single litter you see on your way, to the biggest thing, like dedicating your whole life to a cause. Whatever it is you do, love it. And know that you are the reason I love what I do.
With faith and love,
Zulaikha