With a fluctuating economy, daily life stressors and maintaining interpersonal relationships (just to name a few), we are all in dire need of a vacation! Whether long or short, it’s essential to enjoy time with oneself and to “woosa”as I like to call it. Our minds and bodies only have a limited supply of energy that must be regularly restored. Now, I’m all for a luxurious splurge at a spa or local casino, but I strongly believe that mind and body also include the psyche, the core metaphysical being, which is satisfied by doing good deeds; helping one’s peers. As such, I suggest traveling to a location outside of your home area or comfort zone to enjoy a change of scenery at which to recharge your metaphorical batteries AND to help those less fortunate that do not have the ability to travel or relax. Not only are you taking a break from the daily grind but you are also giving back to the community, doing a good deed and boosting your own sense of self-worth. You have to live with yourself for life, so you better like who you are. Can’t get better reward than that!
To assist in finding the right volunteer vacation, I have provided a few helpful links with general info & links to relevant organizations:
*Relief Spark: [groups OR families only; not for single ppl] a grassroots non-profit organization that was founded post Hurricane Katrina in Los Angeles, CA by Marketing and Social Networking Consultant, Sidney Ray. Relief Spark’s Mission is to provide first response to towns and cities affected by natural disasters from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, flooding and/or any other catastrophic disaster by sending trained CERT volunteers to the affected area to assess, gather information and distribute it on a local/state/federal level and to provide 3-months of post-disaster/recovery services that includes: relief kitchen/meals, salvaging, house gutting and demo to make way for long-term non-profit rebuilding and support organizations. http://www.reliefspark.org/
*Common Ground Relief: not for profit organization headquartered in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. We run a diverse range of projects, from New Home Construction, to a Legal Clinic, Wetlands Restoration, and Community Gardening. We also educate school children about Food Security and Environmental Science with our Garden of Eatin' and Meg Perry Healthy Soil Projects. http://www.commongroundrelief.org/