Volunteering: The Cure For My Pity Party

 

Today was my last day at work.  I had been there for a year and a half.  As I was cleaning out my office, I was surprised by the amount of STUFF that I had accumulated.  Books, more books, and even more books.  Pediatric references titles of all kinds.  Gifts from the kids-- my patients.  (Moving those to the car was emotionally difficult.  I nearly cried.  I am going to miss my patients so much.)  A sweet, neon green teddy bear from one of my coworkers.  Toys that I bought to keep the kiddos busy while I spoke to their parents.  (Since I don't have kids...yet...I had to buy them.  Trio sets, drawing boards, tanagrams.  All educational toys but still fun.  I am picky about what toys I buy for the office.) 

I said goodbye to my last patient and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  I've been in pediatrics for ten years.  I've always loved pediatrics; it's the only thing I've ever wanted to do.  I felt like I was losing a major piece of myself. 

I continued to feel like a sad sack on my way to my volunteering event this evening.  I was ushering for a Bel Canto concert.  Bel Canto is a phenomenal professional choir here in Greensboro.  They specialize in classical choir music but also venture into gospel and such.  Since I'm on their board, I help out at the concerts.  But tonight, I really thought that all I wanted to do was go home and lose my mind. 

But here's the wonderful, transformational thing about volunteering and helping people out.  It makes me feel happy.  I had fun greeting the guests, handing out programs, and taking their tickets.  I felt so good to share a smile with the concert-goers.  I had a spring in my step and real joy in my heart by the time I had finished my little volunteering duties.  I felt like my soul was unburdened.  I was freed from the stress and the anxiety.   It's the happiest I've felt in a long time.  Yay!  So while I'm on my path to the my next job, I'm going to keep volunteering, not just with Bel Canto, but other places too.  Maybe at the animal shelter :-)

Freedom from fear and joy from giving.  Amen.