Healing Yourself and Others through Positive Action

With the shocking news of the terrorist attacks on America it is easy to be negative and feel down about the world today. The safety we once felt living in America, far away from the political and religious conflicts of other countries has now been demolished. The terrorist attacks make people feel powerless and out of control. We can help our fellow American’s by giving blood to the American Red Cross (1-800-GIVE-LIFE), giving money donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at (1-800-HELP-NOW) or for a Spanish speaking representative call (1-800-257-7575). People can also make a secure credit card donation online at www.redcross.org . Money donations may also be mailed to your local American Red Cross.

If you can’t or don’t want to donate blood or money, you can still help by volunteering your time. You can volunteer in your area to help others in many different ways. By volunteering you will help yourself heal knowing you are making a difference in American’s lives. Through volunteerism you will realize that you as an individual can and do make a difference in this world. By giving some of your precious time you will be spreading love and caring which will help squash hatred. If we volunteer we can also help elevate some anger and get others active making a difference in Americans lives. If you don’t have time to go out and volunteer you can reach out to a lonely neighbor or friend. This is a frightening and lonesome time for all especially people who do not have family or may live alone. Reach out to these people by inviting them over for dinner or visiting them. We can all help during this time of grief by reaching out to others in many ways.

You can locate the right place to volunteer nationally by contacting Americorps ( http://www.americorps.org/index.html ) or Seniorcorps ( http://www.seniorcorps.org/index/html ) or help others internationally through the Peace Corps ( http://www.peacecorps.gov/indexf.cfm ). You can search for different volunteer organizations through search engines online such as www.google.com , www.excite.com , www.yahoo.com and many others.

Americorps or Senior Corps states that they will help with disasters, teach children, and assist with various neighborhood projects. Americorps works with many different organizations in your area for example Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, The Red Cross, and many others. As well as healing by helping others you may also receive benefits from Americorps such as assistance with college tuition, moderate living expenses, health insurance , and student loans. More assistance is offered to full time volunteers after a year of service but part time volunteers may also receive some benefits. You could possibly receive child care assistance and relocation expenses. You would need to contact Americorps for full details of the benefits for volunteers.

As well as volunteer organizations, you may also want to note different volunteer events that go on throughout the year at ( http://www.txserve/national/events.html ).

Americans will heal for this recent tragedy by reaching out to others. Through giving we can heal and feel like we are making a difference in our country. We can help by giving blood, donations, and volunteerism in many ways. America is a wonderful place to live and we can heal others and ourselves by reaching out in love.