volunteering – Jenna Jamieson, Author

Lighting up your community!

By Jenna Jamieson | November 21, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

It’s been a busy few months for some really great things at the school where I teach and the community I live in. There may appear to be a lot of division, chaos, stress, negativity, sad stories, awful news, maybe even hate in the world, but what I have found is there is actually even more positive stories where people are doing great things. Here are a few examples of some awesome community kindness stories: David Muir shared a story about a community in Milwaukee where a bus driver helped a homeless person in need who was on her bus. I also saw a story where a community is rebuilding a school and students and teachers served Thanksgiving dinner in Panama City, Florida where there community suffered extreme devastation due to Hurricane Michael. It’s our responsibility to spotlight amazing stories and make those the focal point today and every single day of the year. That’s what will help make the world a better place and I think that’s something we can all agree we want and hope to see for the youth in America. I recently reached out to the local Army National Guard to assist with team building for an entrepreneurship and leadership program. What I got from involving the Army National Guard was awesome! I teamed up with a recruiter who has helped with team building, boosting self-confidence, and demonstrating how to use the skills of each member on your team to accomplish goals.
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Always help others…no matter what!

By Jenna Jamieson | September 12, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Summer has officially been over for a month and it has taken me this long to sit down and write about someone that touched my heart when I was volunteering one evening in August. I was volunteering at my alma mater because I love to help welcome the students back to campus. It was a casual evening where I helped give directions to students, greet students, and welcome them during a “Back to Campus” event. It was simple and easy to do. I didn’t feel like I had done much other than say hi and welcome back to students. As I was walking around at the very end of the night I came upon a student that was walking home after the event. I walked by as I was browsing my phone and then circled back because there was something about the student that concerned me. He had a physical handicap that made walking very difficult. He was also staring at his phone with a confused look upon his face as if he needed something. I could tell he was struggling so I asked if he needed help. He said, “I am trying to figure out what direction to go to get back to the dorms.” I explained the location of the dorms, but also wanted to make sure he could get to a bus because walking was very difficult for him. It made me realize how much I take walking for granted.

He seemed very grateful for the help. I actually wasn’t sure if the buses were running on their normal bus schedule so I went to verify it with campus staff to be sure he was able to get to where he needed to go. He got the directions he needed to get to the bus stop and that was something that made me realize how important it is to offer help. I came across this young student at just the right time to assist him with getting back to the dorms safely.

Not only did he remind me of the importance of helping others and being present rather than browsing on my phone, but he also forced me to think about how much I take my legs and feet for granted. That student had a permanent handicap that prevented him from walking at a steady pace or maintaining quality balance. It’s something that many of us take for granted on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Next time you see someone who may need help, may be handicapped, or may need guidance I implore you to do the right thing. It’s too easy to look down, look at your phone, stare, or just simply not want to get involved with others, but that’s not the right thing to do. We are meant to be kind and help other people. There’s a reason why we should be kind – that reason is often to help someone else, inspire someone else, or make the lives of those around us better. After all, you will find more purpose and meaning when you give back and help others than you will in any other facet of your life.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Life is just a ride…you must keep pedaling!

By Jenna Jamieson | May 31, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

It’s May and that means school is almost out. I did a podcast at the beginning of the month with a very cool person that found me via Twitter. His name is Chad Smart and he is the host of Positive Cynicism. Check him out at jitterymonkey.com and listen to his motivational and fun podcasts. Here’s a link to hear the one he allowed me to participate in: http://jitterymonkey.com/positive-cynicism-42-question-everything-jenna-jamieson/

I also did some volunteering this month because it’s kind of my hobby. A hobby that I allow to take over my ‘normal’ life on occasion. I volunteered at SIU’s graduation for probably my 10th time or more. It was a simple gesture to help others out and give back to my community. It’s important to recognize the impact volunteering can have in your local community. With all the ways to make a difference, to give back to organizations, and to help others in need, volunteering can be one of the most simple ways to do that. Not only does it help your community and people in it, but beyond that it gives you a sense of purpose. That is at the core of finding and achieving pure happiness – finding genuine purpose that can give your life meaning. I challenge you to add more volunteering to your life where you get nothing in return, not something you do at your job or at your church, or as part of a club you are in, but pure volunteering with no sub-lining or sub-benefit. Volunteering where you give your time away for free and get nothing in return. It will give you purpose – specifically, a purpose you have probably never felt before.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness