“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
You probably have noticed that service is very important to us at The Humphreys Group. From donating time to talent, giving back benefits us personally, as well as our communities as a whole.
Here are five key reasons to give back.
To make a positive impact
When you give back, whether it be through time, resources, or money, you’re making a positive impact, not only on the lives of individuals – yourself included – but also on the community as a whole. From donating your time cleaning up trash on Sunday mornings, to passing out meals at a local homeless shelter, making a positive impact on your community will help to strengthen it, ensuring that those who live there are able to maintain healthier and safer lives.
To share your skills
Are you especially good at math? Why not take the time to tutor math students at the local high school? Are you considering nursing school at some point? Maybe volunteering at a low-income health center could be a good fit. At The Humphreys Group, we share our skills by providing pro bono financial planning services to several Bay Area organizations, including Shalom Bayit, La Casa de Las Madres, and San Francisco Safe House. We also participate in San Francisco Financial Planning Days, which provide an opportunity for those with financial planning concerns who haven’t had the means or opportunity to consult a professional and ask questions. Whatever your skills include, sharing them with others is a great option when it comes to giving back.
To learn new skills
Additionally, giving back can be an excellent way to learn new skills. If you’ve been itching to improve your cooking, volunteering at a meal kitchen might be a great way to learn. Do you want to bulk up your resume with some marketing experience? Perhaps you should volunteer to do social media for a local non-profit. Learning a skill while simultaneously donating your time and giving back is the ultimate win-win scenario.
For your health, both mental and physical
Did you know that the act of giving actually brings up what some people call the helper’s high? When you give to others, it activates your brain’s reward center, which is responsible for releasing endorphins and making you feel happy. Additionally, getting involved in community activity gets you moving, which has an extremely positive effect on your physical wellbeing. While volunteering at an animal shelter or a soup kitchen feels like a far cry from running a marathon, the act of getting out, moving your body, and giving back can have a very positive impact on your overall health
To meet people
Whether you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood and are looking to meet people, or you’re looking to expand your network outside of your regular circle or friends, volunteering can be a great way to meet others with similar interests.
Ultimately, it’s not about what you do to give back, but rather that you do it at all. How do you give back? Learn more about what The Humphreys Group does here.
