What great/life changing thing do you do?

[Monique]

Mrs. Broon, of course it counts as life changing...Giving is the key to life. I had an epiphany five years ago that I wanted my life to have more meaning outside from what materialsitic items I had acquired. So I started volunteering at the local soup kitchen every Sunday for 3 hours helping to feed the homeless and less fortunate. It is so fulfilling!

[alex]

I haven't done anything huge or massively significant, but I always try to get involved with athletics which teach & support children. I've coached & volunteered for various soccer teams/clinics in my local area.

It feels great to show the kids that everyone can get involved.

[KirstenRN6]

I am a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. Although I have seen a lot of tragedies, there has also been many miracles that I have seen. Being a nurse has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Our lives are so precious................. never take yours for granted. God bless all of you!

[TammyB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanAmanda Tammy, that's too funny that you were the first post - the reason that got me thinking like this is that I used to foster dogs! We have two dogs of our own and have had tons of fosters. In January we bought our first home (yeah!) but because prices in Vancouver are crazy we could only afford a townhouse - which came with a strata rule of two dogs max. So no more fosters.

he he, we have a two pet limit at our townhome as well. But so far we have been lucky.. We are really careful to only take out two at a time, and since they are all Bostons well most people can't tell the difference.. lol So shhh don't tell anyone.. :-)

[lucy106]

This thread is proof of what a wonderful group we have here...

 

I guess what I do is incorporated in my job as a police officer. Unfortunately I usually deal with people during the worst moments of their lives. But as a domestic violence advocate I have tried to devote myself to these victims.

 

I am also working with our puppy in hopes of getting her fully trained as a therapy dog. Who wouldnt smile seeing a crazy bulldog with her teeth sticking out and snorting her way down the hall?

[MrsBroon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monique Mrs. Broon, of course it counts as life changing...Giving is the key to life. I had an epiphany five years ago that I wanted my life to have more meaning outside from what materialsitic items I had acquired. So I started volunteering at the local soup kitchen every Sunday for 3 hours helping to feed the homeless and less fortunate. It is so fulfilling!

Thanks Monique, I get so much pleasure from working with my clients. A lot of society really look down there noses at them, but some of them are really nice people who have just travelled down the wrong path in life. I like to think I am able to get them back on track.

[PenMarie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanAmanda PenMarie, that's great about the ferrets. I helped out a girl from a local rabbit organization once and they were so overworked!! It seems the smaller animals often get overlooked so kudo's to you for helping them.

Soooo true, Amanda. I just wish our companion animals didn't have to suffer because of the throw-away society we've become. If not for this, people like Tammy and Cain wouldn't have to foster dogs from the shelters...we wouldn't have ferret shelters and rabbit shelters (and other small animals) overflowing at the seams with abandoned animals who are often times neglected and abused...it just saddens me so.

Strange thing is, I never had animals growing up...but ever since we got our ferrets and our puppy, I've learned so much, and I've truly become affected.

[Karen]

I have been working in social services for the past 14 years. I have mainly worked in child welfare but have also worked with developmentally disabled adults. I have volunteered and participated in Team In Training which raises money for the Leaukemia Society through participation in long distance races (running).

 

But the thing is making a difference in this world does not have to entail anything large. No matter what your job is you can contribute. The smallest things such as a smile or a kind word can change someone's life for the better. I went through a pretty dark time in my life a few years back when I was depressed and going through a divorce. A smile from the grocery clerk or a great haircut from my stylist was just what I needed some days to make it through. So don't underestimate yourself. You have probally already made somebody's life better and don't even know it.

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanAmanda After a bottle of wine and a long conversation with an old girlfriend tonight, we started talking about the great things we envisioned doing it as kids. Cure cancer, save children, that kind of things. So I started thinking about how all I do is work and spend time with FH and friends. Don't get me wrong, I have a great job and an awesome guy and friends. But I'm not doing anything life changing or anything that's making other people have a better life. So tomorrow I'm going to change that. Any ideas? What do you do that makes the world a better place for others? I'm thinking I'm not going to cure cancer (I can't even stop FH from snoring..lol) so I thought I should start a little smaller.

It's funny that this is your example. I do genetics research & we always joke about our job being so important because we are curing cancer. My research ties in to cancer research, but I am so far away from anything clinical. But, one of my friends it much more likely to have an impact. So I say my important role is to keep her motivated to cure cancer.

I also organize the happy hours for my program. The friend I took the job over from said, "Just think, you will be doing so much good by bringing people together who might collaborate & actually cure cancer."

[JaimeLynne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TammyB he he, we have a two pet limit at our townhome as well. But so far we have been lucky.. We are really careful to only take out two at a time, and since they are all Bostons well most people can't tell the difference.. lol So shhh don't tell anyone.. :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy106 I am also working with our puppy in hopes of getting her fully trained as a therapy dog. Who wouldnt smile seeing a crazy bulldog with her teeth sticking out and snorting her way down the hall?

LOL @ both of those images!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsBroon Thanks Monique, I get so much pleasure from working with my clients. A lot of society really look down there noses at them, but some of them are really nice people who have just travelled down the wrong path in life. I like to think I am able to get them back on track.

MrsBroon - My mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol most of her life (she finally passed away of chirrosis of the liver). I think you do a great thing and it's wonderful that you can look at these people as "real" people. My mom was abused in every way possible and I believe this is why she did what she did. It's very unfortunate but I'm glad there are people like you out there.

As for myself, I used to want to be a Big Sister but I think that time has passed. FI and I, like Tammy and some others of you, also volunteer with local animal shelters/rescue groups. The one we are focusing on right now is Oklahoma Westie Rescue. I would absolutely LOVE to help foster an animal. We are not in a position to right now, as we just got Conor (7 month old Westie boy) late December and he is really in need of some one on one attention with us. Plus we have our little Dachshund Ollie but he's great and well trained. Once Conor is trained Martin and I have discussed fostering an animal. Seeing how overloaded these rescue groups are breaks my heart. OKWR just had to turn down 3 dogs yesterday due to full capacity I don't know if it's something we'll actually be able to do but I really want to...

For now I do what I can by helping to run adoption applications (I call personal and vet references).


KUDOS to everyone for getting out there and helping others - no matter what you do!!!!