Volunteerism

http://www.slate.com/id/2211412/

I'm going to rant a bit again. The world needs more do-gooders, that's for sure. We all need to be a little kinder, a little more giving, more caring about others.

On the other hand - is Slate kidding with this title? If the only time that you have to volunteer is between 4 and 6 AM, then you should not be volunteering. You should be spending that time on yourself.

Too many people don't take care of themselves enough. Pirkei Avot had it right (paraphrase): give first to your family, then to your community, then to your home town, then to other cities. I'll add, give to yourself first. Everyone else will be better off for it.

I think actually that too many people think about other people too much. Not enough people are thinking about themselves. No, really. Sometimes people give to other people because they don't really want to focus on themselves. They feel they aren't good enough, or don't want to spend too much time alone with themselves. Don't want to focus on their own issues, would rather help others. That's selfish also. Others will be better off if you spend time with yourself first.

That includes your spouse and children, and any one in your life directly. And then any one in their lives directly. And it spreads. The world can only benefit from some more happy marriages, some more healthy parent/child relationships. If you do wonderful volunteer work, but can't keep your marriage together (or your bankbook balanced!), you've got your priorities wrong.

I'll step down from said soap-box now.