Ashley Allen

ENG 2010

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Changing the World: One Person at a Time

it's not enough to simply know you're not alone. The journey forward will require other people. It will require friends and family. It may require professional help, and that's entirely OK. (TWLOHA, 2013) There are people in this world who believe they can make it through life alone. But what they dont understand is that people need people, in a nurturing, loving, friendship, family kind of way. Sure you can live your life without anyone to lean on, but when a bump in your road presents itself, it can be harder to overcome if you dont have someone to help you. Now that Im older, I can look back on my childhood and remember what I cared about and what I didnt. When I was a child, I didnt think too often of having other people to lean on. When I was sad, upset, or angry, I would always turn to my mother, because from the start, she was the one who could make everything better. Being older means having had relationships with other people. It means having been hurt, used, bullied but also loved, cared for, and befriended. I have had surgeries almost my entire life, but there was one surgery in particular that left me with the feeling that I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I was 9 years old, getting ready to go into surgery. A Child-Life Specialist came out to show me pictures of the operating room, and pictures of other patients who have gone in before. I was able to choose the flavor for my anesthesia, and I got a warm blanket. I remember the nurse who took me back was asking me about my favorite thing to do, which at the time was dancing. I was telling her all about competition season and how excited I was. I also remember how happy she was and interest in the subject. I felt so comfortable, taken care of, like I mattered

Ashley Allen

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to her. I wasnt just another patient. It was when I got out, and spoke with my mother, that I knew I wanted to do just what the Child-Life Specialist and the nurse had done for me. I wanted to take care of others.

Creating a Sense of Well-Being.

In a study led by Peggy Thoits, data was used from the Americans Changing Lives Study to examine how volunteering affected six different aspects of well-being. The study divided the 3,617 respondents into two groups: those who volunteered and those who did not. Comparisons were then made for levels of happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of control over life, physical health, and depression. Thoits found that people who were in better physical and mental health were more likely to volunteer, and conversely that volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression. A report by the Corporation for National and Community Service states that people who volunteer have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression, and less incidence of heart disease. A review of current research also suggests that volunteering is especially beneficial to older adults and those who serve 100 volunteer hours a year. (BIDMC, 2012) I can agree to this paragraph. I know that when I am feeling uplifted and happy that I am more motivated to go out and make a difference, and help others than I am when Im feeling down, or frustrated with my math assignment. The benefits of giving to others are numerous and most are fairly obvious. Sharing with others, when you have abundance, is a centuries old act of human kindness that has given far-

Ashley Allen

ENG 2010

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reaching benefits to generations. These benefits can be humanitarian, financial or cultural; they can give improved health, as well as freedom from disease and hunger.

The statistics speak for themselves, so if you have ever been in doubt as to the need for giving to others, look at the following statistics:

Up to 1.5 billion people dont have access to clean water. 25% of the worlds people are starving. One child dies every couple of seconds from a disease that could have been prevented. Close to 10% of the people in the world are illiterate. 3 million Americans are homeless in any given year.

The reasons for giving for humanitarian reasons are obvious, but there are many worthwhile causes closer to you, within your community. (YAKEZIE, 2011) What Im speaking of mainly here, is to show you that helping others all around the world can make the biggest difference. It can create the biggest chain reaction, and it can all start with you. To Write Love on Her Arms focuses on presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and

Ashley Allen recovery. (TWLOHA, 2006)

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I might be going a little bit deep with bringing up depression, but Im using it as an example to show that everyone suffers even a little bit of sadness. Here is a graph from 2012, showing statistics of depression by state. It just goes to show that you truly are not alone when you are suffering. It seems as though southern states suffer the most from depression. Individuals that are more likely to suffer from

Ashley Allen

ENG 2010

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depression are unemployed or recently divorced. (HEALTHLINE, 2012).

Can you believe that even people worldwide suffer? It might not even be just depression. This example goes to show that we all need each other, just like I stated in the beginning. People Need People (TWLOHA, 2013) and I strongly believe it because I too have been shown kindness and love from others and I know first-hand the impact it has had on me. Ive previously written about a young woman named Chrissy Delacy, who blogs at Let Me See You Sparkle. She chose to start doing random acts of kindness to anyone and everyone. She is a believer of spreading joy, and seeing the best in others. She leaves anonymous gifts, and also serves wherever she can. She recently joined Make a Wish Foundation, and is more than excited to be a part of their team. She puts others before herself, and it takes care of her own needs.

Ashley Allen

ENG 2010

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You Can Be the One

There are tons of events, and movements, charities and simple acts of kindness going on in the world, and I cant see why anyone wouldnt want to join. We need each other, and by serving each other we can turn this world around. So many people wish for a better world, but all I see is people doing nothing. I dont want anyone to feel afraid, like they arent great enough to make a difference.

You can be that one. You can be the one to smile a little bit more today. You can be the one to help someone pick up their books on campus. You can be the one to hug your siblings instead of fight or yell. And especially this holiday season, you can be the one to serve, and help others feel a little bit more loved this winter. You can do it, I believe in you.

Tworkowski, Jamie. "People Need Other People." Web log post. To Write Love On Her Arms. TWLOHA, 08 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. Kellicker, Patricia, BSN. "Travel and Health." Travel and Health. BIDMC, 18 June 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. T, Miss. "The Benefits of Giving to Others." The Yakezie RSS. Yakezie Lifestyle, 04 Nov. 2011. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. Unknown. "Unhappiness by the Numbers: 2012 Depression Statistics." Healthlines RSS News. Healthline, 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.