Remember when we were little, we had such big dreams of changing the world! I know I did...and still do. Sometimes we go through life and especially for us college students we are more preoccupied with ourselves. We are so focused on finishing school and finding a job.
If we were a little more grateful for what we have than what we don't have, we would see the world in a different light. No doubt everyone has hardships, but we have it pretty well compared to some people in developing countries, and even some in this country. Being grateful allows us to empathize with other people. The more we can empathize with someone, the more likely we are to help someone in need. That's why I am starting a movement for schools across the United States that requires students starting at a very young age to volunteer in helping the less fortunate whether it be food drives, donations, etc. The idea is after years and years of community service, they will feel a greater connection and obligation to making the world a better place. We have become too isolated. We live in our own world with technology that revolves around us. Our movement strongly believes kids are the way to a brighter future.
I believe this movement has a lot of potential in spreading a positive message and happiness in the world. I am taking a Psychology: Science of Happiness course at USC. From the lectures and personal experience, I feel happier in the short term and long term more so when I give, than I receive. It's great to make a lot of money but if you are in a position to give back, like Rockefeller and Carnegie, we have a moral obligation to do so.
The best solution is to make profit giving back.
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful and exciting thing is that is possible to Make profit providing value.
It's tough to make people volunteer. If people are forced to volunteer, it's not really volunteer work is it?
ReplyDeleteI do think that volunteering will help people to know the world from a different perspective. I believe that the next step that you would take is to host more volunteering activities for people to help others.
ReplyDeleteI like the start in teaching children about putting others first above themselves, but as far as empathy, that's tough to come by. Like in the Blue Sweater, Jacqueline found it difficult to empathize with the women in Africa, oftentimes she wasn't able to help because she just didn't understand the culture. I'd say in addition to having children donate, teach them about the culture and current economic troubles in those countries.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good start but main challenge you will face will be people volunteering. From my experience, many people (especially students) who volunteers are doing it to look good on college applications. Sure, this will help and spread out the awareness and potentially that one person can influence his/her friends or family.
ReplyDelete