The Impact of Service

While I traveled over to The Big Island of Hawaii, I participated in a number of service activities that truly opened my eyes to what helping others can do for your emotional state. After completing a more lengthy and strenuous service task, such as removing invasive species from their sacred forest, I felt especially fulfilled due to the visible difference I’d made to a space so special to the natives. I believe when the difference you are making is apparent and more demanding, the more satisfied you feel. Essentially, not many individuals are partaking in service or helping the community when the work is especially demanding. This is why having the opportunity to engage in the more laborious tasks was rewarding for us as a team. After dedicating a significant amount of time and effort to aiding their sacred environment and the community, the gratitude the Hawaiians had for our help on their journey to preserve their land was obvious. This gratitude carried on throughout the trip and made the group closer as we worked to learn to be grateful of our environment and the individuals we were surrounding ourselves with. It was abundantly clear to all of us that the service we completed in pursuit of making a difference made us a tighter-knit group altogether.