Service Work

I believe in karma. Maybe it isn't even called karma, and it's probably not even the mysterious, cosmic tit for tat that the word karma would suggest. Instead, I believe in a basic life fact: love grows love and hate grows hate. If you choose to live well, helping others, then good things will come your way. On the other hand, if you choose to live for only yourself, concerned about materials and stepping on people along the path of your rise to social or professional fame, then get ready. You are in for a nasty ride.

I bring up karma because I believe strongly in service work. Right now, there is a bipartisan proposal called the Serve America Act, sponsored by Senators Kennedy and Hatch. This piece of legislation will expand volunteer opportunities for Americans of all ages, and create the Education Corps, the Healthy Futures Corps, the Clean Energy Service Corps, the Opportunity Corps, and the Reserve Corps, among other initiatives. Our forefather, Benjamin Franklin once said, "Americans can do well, by doing good."

Personally, I've never understood why service work is not mandatory at some age before college. Ideally, each school year, starting at kindergarten, kids should do at least one project as a group that helps some-one, or some-thing. Parents need to set the example, too. Children typically frown on service work because it seems like a chore. Adults need to help transform that attitude into one of fulfillment and happiness. If you've ever volunteered, you know how good it makes you feel. What if you felt like that more than once every few years. What if you gave something of yourself to help every month, or every week or even made it your life's work? How could this be a bad thing for any of us?

So, next time you are sitting at your desk cruising online shopping or dreaming up your next vacation, turn your internet research onto the volunteer opportunities in your area and beyond. Do something outside your everyday. Remember, karma's a bitch. Do you really want to make her angry?