I've just answered someone's question about doing Xmas volunteer work. Now I think I want to do it. But if I did, would it really just be a way of making me feel good about myself rather than helping others.
I can't tell.
2006-12-14 08:02:24 · 20 answers · asked by PanGalactic 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
I guess I'm just confused over the meaning of altruism.
But if I just do it and help people, it won't matter a jot what I'm thinking at the time?
2006-12-14 08:13:34 · update #1
It is both, not one or the other, and is there anything wrong with that? Do not worry about your own altruism.
Yes, please volunteer.
2006-12-14 08:10:29 · answer #1 · answered by Gabby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ran a pub for a number of years and Xmas Day Dinner was always shared with customers who were going to be on their own that day. We always had a great time..When I retired I joined a community group and started a scheme similar for people with no-one to share the day with for whatever reason.....we also ran a meals on wheels service for them who were unable to get to the centre. After dinner a sing song, bingo, etc and then tea....by the time everyone had gone home about 10pm I was tired out but went home with the most enormous feeling that I had made some ones day for them.....that is what it is all about.....helping other less fortunate than yourself and enjoying it!!!!.....so get signed up and have a good time!
2006-12-14 08:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by jaycee1940 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Go for it you will have the time of your life believe me. And when your work is done you will have a great feeling that comes from within. Though you may want to go home and have a soak in the tub after.
If you don't feel good about yourself then you may in time find that you are on the receiving end of someone elses volunteering services.
2006-12-14 08:40:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By all means, volunteer. The reason the volunteer volunteers isn't the bottom line. The important aspect is that the needy one receives the help they need. You should feel good about yourself for that!
2006-12-14 09:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by leslie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it!
Yes it will make you feel good about yourself - and what's wrong about that? - but it will also make others feel good about you! And you might make lifelong friends, or even open up new career avenues for yourself.
But most of all you will get a sense of fulfillment that just doesn't come with opening lots of mostly useless Christmas presents and over-eating and drinking!
2006-12-15 07:31:20 · answer #5 · answered by Timothy M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO IT!
Volunteerring is goood
Do two days a day for making yourself feel good and a day for helping others!
2006-12-14 08:11:12 · answer #6 · answered by T <3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more you volunteer the better you feel!
After a while it just becomes second nature!
2006-12-14 13:23:10 · answer #7 · answered by happy_southernlady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(From http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=altruism) Robert Heinlein once said, "Beware altruism. It is based on self-deception, the root of all evil." He also said, "If tempted by something that feels 'altruistic', examine your motives and root out that self-deception. Then, if you still want to do it, wallow in it!"
(Now my words) In other words, if you want to do it, whether it's to help others or to make yourself feel better, then go for it. If you don't want to do it, don't feel obligated to do it "just because."
2006-12-14 08:22:04 · answer #8 · answered by Dennis_Yates 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Er no you should definetly do it to help other people, if you feel good doing it fine. But don't do it for the aim of making yourself feel good. take pleasure in helping others maybe.
2006-12-14 08:11:36 · answer #9 · answered by wave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look if you want to help do it the rest of the year as well , i see a lot of people help out at this time of year then think they have did there bit and thats it untill next xmass ,
2006-12-14 13:56:26 · answer #10 · answered by raynightporter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Volunteering is something that you really want to do otherwise whywould you want to volunteer in the first place?
2006-12-14 09:49:19 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋