Volunteerism

One of our family traditions in the Conceison household on Thanksgiving is to go around the table and say what we are thankful for.  Among the usual, family, having a job, and happiness, I decided my number one piece of my life that I am thankful for is volunteerism.  I know it isn't November, but I feel everyday is a good day to give thanks, and I am thankful everyday for volunteerism.  I better be considering for the next 10 months, volunteering will be my daily routine.  Volunteerism is so important.  Many people graduate college and look for the first job thrown at them.  I wanted to take a different approach.  I decided I wanted to volunteer and give back to our country.  Volunteering is in my blood.  I want to help people, I want others to succeed because of my help, and I want to make a difference in the world.

In 6 short days I will be "leaving on a jet plane" and heading down south to Mississippi y'all.  I will be spending the next ten months volunteering for AmeriCorps NCCC.  AmeriCorps is a National community service program.  I will be stationed in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  As many of you readers know, my older brother Bobby volunteered after he graduated from Stonehill.  When Bobby came home, he was a new man.  He became the ultimate brother.  He thought of every family member before he thought of himself.  He seemed to always want to pitch in around the house.  He had endless stories that intrigued me more than he will ever know.  Bobby still is the ultimate brother, thinks of his many family members before himself, and still (and will come September) pitches in around 10 Thomas.  Hearing every positive story made me want to create my own AmeriCorps story.  As much as we poked fun at Bobby for all he did while volunteering, deep down, I wanted the same.  I owe a lot of the reason I am volunteering to the best role model of a brother. 

In 6 short days I will be leaving my "Burlington bubble" as I like to call it.  The farthest I have lived from home is good ol Bridgewater, MA.  And I thought that was far.  Now, instead of a quick drive down route 24, I have a nice plane ride, and about ten states separating me from this lovely town I have called home for the last 23 years.  This thought makes me nervous, excited, happy, sad, and every emotion under the sun mixed into one.  I can't wait for my journey to start. 

Just a side note...I titled my blog "The smallest thing can make all the difference" because it is a quote from one of my favorite songs.  It is not only my favorite song because of the meaning of the lyrics, but it is my favorite because Carrie Underwood sings it.  (we all know how I feel about her, and I will find her sometime while I am down south)  I look at the song as a shout out to volunteering.  It is called "Change" and it is about not listening to people when they tell you that you're a fool to think you can change the world.  So yes, I am going to Mississippi, yes I am giving up making money, and yes I am going to change the world.