As a young intern at BTTF, I already feel this sense of community and belonging whenever I am here. It was incredible to see so many people who are involved in BTTF of so many different ages and backgrounds at our cocktail party last month. This was a tangible example of the community that I am a part of by giving my time to this organization.
It is great to be surrounded people who are here for the same purpose, all of them driven by compassion. In her book The Happiness Track, Emma Seppälä maintains that, “Compassion is good for the bottom line, it’s great for your relationships and it inspires lasting loyalty. In addition, compassion significantly boosts your health,”. Service and compassion go hand in hand, therefore having very similar effects.
Service is an important aspect of a good life. Giving back to your community and helping groups in need is immensely rewarding. Not only are you helping out people who need it, but you are also helping yourself. Active involvement in service generates a sense of belonging and community with other like-minded members. It also increases confidence and lessens things like stress and depression. The Corporation for National & Community Service calls this the “social integration theory”, in which service and connections from it brings purpose and satisfaction to the lives of those partaking in service.
The benefits of service reach out to your physical health as well as mental. According to a Harvard Health Blog by Stephanie Watson, volunteering has been seen to help lower blood pressure and bring about a longer life span. It has also been linked to lessening chronic pains.
At BTTF, there is a strong community of volunteers that are connected by compassion and care for the cause, knowing that our hard-working patients truly deserve the assistance that we’re helping to provide.
One of the patients we’ve helped tells her story. BTTF is grateful to be a part of this movement, and encourages everyone to give and share their own #MyGivingStory.
