My Journey With Weight Loss – Giving Back To The Community

Yes, I have once again successfully done my training 3 days this week. Looking forward to getting back to it next week.

Nearly a year ago I realized I was bored. My business had tanked, I was on pre-retirement leave from my job and because of the pandemic I was barely leaving my house. I reached out to the CEO of the United Way of the Lower Mainland and asked if he could find me some volunteer work. Because of the health situation in our household, I couldn’t help with the food hubs as there could be exposure and that was too risky. However, I could do any sort of administrative work and was more than willing to step up and help my community. He put me in touch with the Seniors Come Share Society and what happened next transformed me.

I was asked to phone isolated seniors once a week. The task was simple, just check in with them and see if they needed anything. Well, they all did, they needed social contact. From the first call it was obvious that these were not going to be quick ‘how ya’ doing calls’ but rather it was more about just chatting. As the months have gone on I have developed close relationships with all of these seniors. I know a lot about their lives and families and they know the same about me. I finally had to cap the length of these calls to 30 minutes so that I could get through all of them. I know I have helped lift these seniors up during a time that has been so trying for them. I know their names, their children’s names, their grandchildren’s names, what they used to do for a living and much more. They know the same about me.

One of these seniors in particular has had a significant impact on me. She is in an assisted living home and we hit it off right from day one. I like to think that we are now friends and I do know one day we would like to meet for just a cup of coffee. But what really hit me was a few months ago when she told me on a call that she has some dark days but when that happens she just reminds herself that I will be calling in a few days and she knows that will make her feel better. I nearly cried when she told me that but promised her I would keep calling and be there to always support her.

Because this has impacted me so much I have now stepped the volunteering up a notch. I became a volunteer with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinic through Seniors Come Share. Each week I do taxes for low income seniors over the phone and electronically file their taxes with CRA. The appreciation I get from doing this has been amazing and I have already committed to coming back again next year.

So what does this have to do with my weight loss journey. In earlier posts I told you that I have gotten fit not just physically but mentally. I gave back to my community, to those who really needed my help but ultimately they have helped me even more. It is hard to let yourself get down when others depend on you for just 1/2 hour of your time each week especially when at the end of that time you just feel so much better about yourself. I know my mental growth has been caused partly because of my improving health but I think the real culprit has been knowing that right now I am making a difference.

Next week I will be stepping it up a little more by starting training to do peer counseling for other volunteers. If it is anywhere near as fulfilling as my current volunteer roles I know it will have an incredible impact on me. I recommend everyone try and find a little time each week to help those that need it most in your community. You will never regret the change that you will see in yourself.