Volunteering, A Spiritual Practice

Rev. Alene Kramer, SEVA Volunteer Coordinator

Have you ever known there was more to life than what you were doing right now, something you could add to your life and make it more fulfilling? Something. ... and you didn't know what it was? Most of my life I knew there was more. There had to be! There just had to be! I learned that in order to stop thinking only of myself and who or what wasn't working in my life, who or what had hurt me, who I could blame for all my troubles, I had to start by forgiving myself. I began taking classes.

Dr. Heather, our beloved Pastor, said in class: "Be gentle with yourself." I had never heard anything like it before. It was quite profound to me. Imagine that! Being gentle with myself. I decided to change my thinking to accommodate this new thought — being gentle with myself.

Everything changed from then on. I began to forgive myself! I forgave others. I started to take responsibility for everything in my life — and that meant being responsible for myself, my feelings, and what my life looked like. Hmm. Not a pretty picture.

My first step was to reach out to my center family by giving of my time, volunteering at every opportunity, committing, and showing up always with an offer of help.

You make a difference.

Dr. Heather says almost every week, "You make a difference." I began to believe her. I believe that each and every one of us makes a difference. Everything we do, say and think makes a difference.

Being a volunteer at CVCRS for more than 7 years, once again I felt that I wanted to increase my service. I completed a 13-week course at Mission Hospital in order to be a Pastoral Volunteer in the Spiritual Care Department, and signed up for another 13 weeks of continuing education.

We are all unique beings and have the capacity to give of our time, talent and treasure to our Center home. It's where we are nurtured, validated, accepted and loved for who we are. Decide today to be a participant! Join the Team! Be a SEVA Volunteer! Remember — You make a difference!

I hold you all in my heart.

Joyfully,
Rev. Alene