"'Tis better to give than to receive," is a common phrase this time of year. The older I get, the more I truly believe it because I enjoy giving Christmas gifts more and more each year! But as selfless as it sounds, we all know that giving to others is simultaneously rewarding to oneself , right? That's kind of an unspoken thing in life, but especially in Rotary, because we don't want to sound selfish. Our motto is "Service Above Self," so Rotarians strive to give to others first and foremost. We don't focus on how we are serving ourselves at the same time, but it's an important thing to consider when looking for a way to fill that need in your life. Service is really the way to go!
It feels great to give someone a gift, fulfill a need or even just bring a smile to their face. We do all of that in Rotary through scholarships, supporting the local food pantry and planning acts of kindness in our community. We also do these things on a larger scale with international projects that deliver books to Africa, fight polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and promote peace in the darkest of places. Rotarians can be a part of all of that without leaving the comfort of their community, or they can jump in head first and deliver vaccines to babies on the other side of the globe! No matter the project, nor the size of the ripples it sends out, it's rewarding work to serve others. It feels good. It enriches your life.
If you are looking for something to do in retirement that has meaning, or you need something worthwhile to do when the kids are at school, or are just ready to commit some of your time to giving back, consider the Baldwinsville Rotary Club. We will provide you with the opportunity to give back all year-round!