Lately I’ve been getting very into volunteer work, both at my school and on a much larger scale. I’ve always thought of it as being extremely difficult work with no compensation, and such viewed it in a very bad light up until now. Every school year starting from 7th grade I’ve had to do about 20 hours of community service, and I always saw it as something that I would not have any fun doing and why would anybody subject me to this horrible, cruel punishment. But since then I have come around to the idea that this might be something enjoyable, and the ‘payment’ your receive is that warm, fuzzy feeling inside when you know you have done a good deed.
So here I present you a short history of my volunteer work and my hopes for the future:
In the beginning… there was an Arts ‘n’ Crafts night at my elementary school, a decent American public school. I was in eighth grade at the middle school across town. I volunteered to serve pizza with my friend at the crafts shindig, and this is the very first time in my life I ever remember liking doing something that I had no compensation for. I think I may have been a late bloomer on this front.
Since then I have been trying my hardest to do volunteer work (and get my community service hours for school.) But I have higher aspirations than bake sales and club-joining. I want to go to places where my contribution can be seen and I can see those who I would be helping. This is why, when I found a program that will send you overseas to volunteer, I jumped at the opportunity. Although, It might now work out, but expect updates! For now…
xoxo ~ Harlow
Love, Change, and Chocolate 
According to Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, the best way to make yourself happy is to do something kind for someone else.