Lost and Found: How Serving Others Transformed my Life by India

Lost and Found: How Serving Others Transformed my Life by India - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Ghandi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” In a world in need of such service more than ever before, I have made this my life’s motto. And indeed, as I devote my time, talent, and treasure to my fellow men and women, I have discovered myself as Ghandi promised, slowly grasping the essence of who I am and who I have the potential to become. It is a humbling and exhilarating experience that has altered me in ways I never imagined.
Without the guidance of my second-grade teacher, I may never have realized the transformative power of volunteerism. For it was she who imparted to her students not only our obligation to do the right thing, but to do more than what was expected of us, to use our blessings for the benefit of others rather than hoarding them.
Every week, this wise woman sent her students home with a progress report. Usually, there was just a sentence or two about our behavior, but sometimes the page was adorned with a gold sticker, evidence of a good deed noticed.
Then the recipient vowed to keep up the good work, but few of us, if any, boasted about receiving such an honor; it was enough to know we had made a difference in the world, no matter how slight. That year, we learned that the only recognition we needed was our own; acts of kindness were not about earning praise or gratitude. We were making the world a better place for its own sake.
By the summer of my fourth-grade year, however, I longed to do more than smile at a stranger or empty the dish washer without being asked. Anyone could do those things. I wanted to push myself, strive for more as I tested the limits of my capabilities—and I did.
Before the school year commenced, I graduated to the next level of volunteerism: becoming a worker at St. Paul’s, a nearby charity shop. It is one of few decisions made by my nine-year-old self that I have never regretted!
Paul’s, as it is known to regulars, is unpretentious, a squat building overshadowed by the church that looms next door (as it should be). But through these doors lies a truly noble institution—all profits are donated to the homeless—and behind the counter are extraordinary individuals with a deep and abiding love for their faith and the community they serve.
Every day, I am inspired by their compassion, humbled by their devotion, and honored with their friendship. At Paul’s, I am not just another pair of hands; I am part of a cozy coterie, a close-knit circle ready and willing to welcome new-comers. We are family, friends, and fellow workers all at once. It is, truly, my home away from home.
But my affection is not limited to my fellow volunteers; I have established wonderful relationships with many patrons and donors as well. Indeed, through them I have learned a great deal about the human condition, though none have been so informative as Mary.
I worked at Paul’s for nearly a month before I first saw her; I would later learn that, as a member of the indigent community, Mary continually moved from place to place. When she entered the store, her clothing disheveled and skin smudged, I am embarrassed to admit I was more than a little uneasy.
All the stories I’d heard about crazy “bag ladies” echoed in my ears; I stared at the floor and prayed this strange woman wouldn’t notice me. But the shuffling of her shoes came closer and closer…. Finally, I dared to look up—and was rewarded with the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Instantly, my unease vanished.
“Hello, dear. I’ve never seen you before. What’s your name?”
Mary offered me her hand; I took it, ashamed of my foolish fears and her kindness in the face of my ignorance. As we chatted, friendship blossomed between us—a bond which has lasted to this day. Now, I know Mary is a widowed grandmother of two who lost her home in a fire several years ago. Blue, her elderly beagle, is her loyal companion and best friend. She still grieves for her husband, Jack, wearing his wedding ring on a chain around her neck.
And despite everything she has endured, Mary clings to hope, never surrendering to sorrow or indifference. She smiles at strangers, kisses Blue on the nose, is always grateful for the gift of one more day. And every day, I do my best to emulate her example: for Mary, and countless others like her. For them, I continue to serve with a smile, challenge myself to attain excellence, surpass my own expectations and those of others. For them, I surrender everything: time, talent, treasure…and my heart.