I remember a beautiful inspiring conversation from some 12 years ago, I was one of the few men who volunteered at a women’s conference in Dallas. We had 5000 women coming from all around the world. I was the registrar and had about 10 booths to manage. I walked in at 7 AM, we did not have the registration papers – 4 or 5 senior ladies in their 80’s said they are in the basement of a Church. So, we rode in few suburbans to bring the papers – in the basement, there were about 30 boxes to load…. I was debating how I am going to do this. Before I could do anything, the senior ladies jumped in and started picking two boxes at a time… I could not bear, my culture did not allow me for my seniors to carry that load, and I had to do it. I believe it was Sandra, wife of Judge Barefootsanders who questioned me, young man, I am healthy and active because I do the work and will remain active…. She was awesome! They would not listen and the suburbans were loaded in no time.
As we were driving back to the hotel, what I heard was an incredible conversation. The ladies were talking about how many hours they served in a Church, Hospital or a School…. I will never forget that conversation and made the determination that I will always be a volunteer till my last breath.
I read a new piece on Asma Jahangir today (http://centerforpluralism.com/asma-jahangir-human-rights/) the human rights activist. What made her stand up against powers to protect the rights of people who were not related to her? Then I started thinking about Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and others, why did they not enjoy their lives and were hell-bent on repairing the world? You may be one too constantly serving others for no gain. Then I ask myself, why do I volunteer? Why do I stand up for others? I have gotten threats against my life, screamed at, attacked but never was I discouraged.
I don’t get a penny either, rather I lose it. My late wife Najma used to say, if you spend half your time working your business, we can live a great life with that money…. There is no answer to it, each one of us is driven by our calling. Different things are important to different people. Money drives some and other things drive others. Those who are driven by money will never understand volunteerism.
So, I salute the volunteer you, it is a great feeling to serve others, particularly those whom you don’t know and will never see again and never get paid to serve.
If you are one, share a note.
(The author is an Indian-American committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. As we learn to respect the “otherness” of others and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, conflicts will fade, and solutions emerge. He is the president of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC.)