Two New Year’s resolutions that help
“There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.
There is indeed a time for everything. To echo Ecclesiastes, after the holidays have come and gone, it is time to reflect on the year behind us and begin to dream about the one before us. For many, the idea of starting over with a renewed sense of hope leads us to create resolutions for the New Year.
Today, we begin 2016 and are filled with promise and expectation to better ourselves. But as you’re meditating on what you hope to accomplish, consider devoting some part of your year, big or small, to touching the lives of others.
Need a few ideas to get started? We have two easy resolutions that can help you serve others this year.
Consider volunteering
If you’re looking to personally touch the lives of those you’re serving and share in their joy after you helped them, then resolve to begin volunteering.
Last year, The Salvation Army served over 415,000 people in Minnesota and North Dakota by providing hot meals and a warm night’s rest in addition to a variety of other services. We truly wouldn’t have been able to serve so many people without the support of our generous volunteers.
For example, let’s look at our hot meal program at Harbor Light Center. Daily, this program serves 1,000 meals to homeless or isolated individuals in downtown Minneapolis. From our cooks to our meal servers, this program’s strength comes from the dedication of its volunteers. They firmly believe that no one should go without a meal and are willing to donate their own time to help those in need. Without their help, many people would go to bed with gnawing hunger in their stomachs.
Volunteer opportunities vary so you’ll want to find volunteer needs in your area. But rest assured that all Salvation Army locations need help, be it their food shelf, youth activities, or other programs.
Pay it forward
Take a minute to reflect on your past year. Can you remember a time when a friend, family member or neighbor blessed you with an act of kindness and expected nothing in return? Do recall how that act of kindness made you feel?
Paying it forward encourages you to keep the kindness going by doing something special for another person. This does not have to require a lot of time or money. The point is to continue to fill your community with these blessings. You never know how your generosity could impact the life of another person.
At The Salvation Army, we’re thrilled when we realize that those we’ve helped in the past are now helping others, like Melissa Johnson (pictured).
We recently connected with Johnson at our toy shop at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul during the Christmas season.
In May 2011, Johnson’s life was turned upside down when a tornado tore through her home in North Minneapolis. In that devastating time, her family sought The Salvation Army for hot meals, groceries, clothing, furniture vouchers, and more. But much has changed since then.
This Christmas season, she showed her gratitude by signing up to volunteer to help parents pick out Christmas gifts for their children.
Johnson’s story provides a good example of how helping others can set off ripple effects of goodness that last a lifetime.
Time to Make Resolutions
So, what will your resolutions be this year? Will you resolve to become a healthier person? Spend more time with family? Or will this be the year you finally take a trip somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit? Whatever you choose, we hope you dedicate a small part of 2016 to helping another person. Trust us, you will not regret it.