We are living in the age of internet, from our computers to laptops, and tablets to smart-phones, everything is connected to the World Wide Web in one way or another.
Doesnât matter if you are working, studying, shopping, or just looking to kill some time, turning towards the Internet has become a norm.
While Internet has proved to be a boon as far as studying, working, or shopping is concerned, the âkilling-timeâ bit is becoming more of a concern, mainly because in most cases this pastime is consisting of useless pursuits like sneaking into others profiles at Facebook or participating in some heated discussions at a forum. Ideally, we should be spending this spare time away from our PC screens. But I know from my personal experience that the temptation of âbeing onlineâ is hard to resist, especially when we can do so much without leaving our chair.
When I say, we can do so much; I wasnât really referring to becoming an Internet Warrior or finding your soul-mate at social networks. Truth is, there is plenty of âmeaningfulâ stuff that we can do to make this world a better place. By volunteering for a good cause in your spare time, you can do something worthwhile without even leaving the comfort of your home. Online volunteer work ranges from writing and editing work to consulting and tutoring.
Following are five reasons to prove that volunteering in your spare time is better than getting involved in one of those useless repartees at social networks.
Get The Real Likes:
If you think getting âlikesâ and âthumbs upâ from someone who has nothing better to do in his/her life than commenting on your pictures is worth it, then you havenât tasted the satisfaction that might come from helping someone. Getting a compliment on your attire or some expensive gadget is more like a hollow gratification, far from satisfying. Knowing that you have actually helped someone in one way or another, will give you a lot more satisfaction.
Friends that matter:
If you think I am against meeting people and making new friends, then itâs certainly not the case. Actually, I am all for making new friends, however, when you are trying to befriend with anonymous users pretending to be the âcoolest ones” around, you are bound to be like them sooner than later. On the other hand, when you join hands with the volunteer workers at some of these communities, you get to know real people who are more into doing than talking.
Free Your Mind:
Spending too much time watching TV channels or hanging out all the time at platforms like Facebook can be devastating for your growth as an individual. You might fall into the trap and become a part of the rat race, thinking that having a good looking partner and the latest gadgets are the only goals worth going for. Getting out of this self-centered and money oriented approach will help you free your mind and rise above these artificial things.
Learn:
First it was the Television (AKA the idiot box) that was considered to be a big waste of time, but Facebook has very conveniently taken over that position. The biggest downside of spending so much time on Facebook is that there is no learning whatsoever, nothing, nada ⦠zilch. On the other hand, working as a volunteer will result in productive stuff like research, writing, editing, or tutoring, a lot more fruitful as far as learning is concerned.
Moving On:
Volunteer work has its own lure, once you get involved with some of these causes, and saw the difference that you can make, you will find yourself thinking more and more from that perspective. Who knows, you will be encouraged to go one step ahead and take part in outdoor volunteering activities, hence taking up a healthier, more fulfilling, and highly rewarding pastime, not only for your own self, but for the society as well.
Rahil writes for Isvolunteers.org that offers international volunteer and volunteer abroad programs for students.
