Chapter seven seemed to be about getting involved no matter what you are doing, where you are working or what life you live. In the end doing something changes others lives and this ties into Loeb’s quote "Our most fundamental responsibility as citizens is to love not only our own children, but other people's as well--including children we will never meet, who grow up in situations we'd prefer to ignore." By volunteering or getting involved in your community you are helping others.
I did put myself to the task of asking my friends, via text, what they thought about Loeb’s quote. Some of the males I asked were very selfish; they said they wouldn’t really bother to help someone they don’t know. The women I asked said that helping others helps the future. I think they answered this way because most of them have never volunteered, they’ll do the occasional “walks”, but they haven’t helped a child with autism ride a horse. There’s a difference when you do a walk or when you collect donations, you know you are doing something good but you don’t see it. When I’m at Horses Help, I see it and I feel it.
Loeb is right; parents teaching their children to get involved is what makes the difference. I believe that even by recycling we are helping others, we are giving children (that are not ours) a better place to live in. I want to be just like my parents, so I will probably imitate everything they do. My parents have never been involved in volunteer work but when they saw how involved I got they became involved and now that my little sisters are seeing this they are doing it as well.
I honestly don't think my friends understood how the quote identifies with all of them. If we go back to last weeks blog about how activists gave us the rights we have today we will notice that those activists cared about kids that weren't theirs. They were fighting for the rights of people they didn't know. We ALL should agree with Loeb and help and CARE for EVERYONE.
"Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child"-Buddha
It is different to actually get involved in community service then it is to say, putting $10 in a jar that says "Cure for Breast Cancer" or something. Its the experience of seeing someone change and improve because of your own efforts. I was surprised your male friends were so mean about the topic. Either you have some selfish friends or I should be ashamed of my gender...
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Austin's comment, I don't think that you should be ashamed of your gender, I just think that our society has become so cynical, that many people are not exposed to volunteering in their community. This may be due to what they were involved in during school or what their families participated in.
ReplyDeleteLaly, I am so glad that you have taken this step because I feel like in each blog, you discuss how your participation has opened the eyes of several of your friends! You are not only showing your parents and your sisters how important community involvment is, but you are showing your own community and friends the importance of it as well. "Seeing is believing" whether in seeing the change you have made in your community or showing others to believe in making a difference, you at one point must show someone the first steps to take.
That is awesome that your experience has been able to open your eyes to what you are capable of completing as an individual. It is possible that your friends don't see the ripple effect of what an act can accomplish, but maybe you are that drop of water that helps them. Give them more time and explain to them, better yet, take them and physically give them an example of how you can help better this world.
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