The phenomenon of volunteering has increased significantly in recent times, sparking widespread debate on whether volunteering to help others in the local community is essential or if it is more beneficial to be focused on one’s own life and priorities. In my opinion, there are more benefits if people prioritize themselves and their own lives, instead of engaging in volunteering work. This essay will discuss both perspectives and present my viewpoint.
Focusing on one’s own life and priorities offers a multitude of advantages to an individual. Firstly, it allows people to spend more time on their career advancement. As people remain committed to their own careers, it opens new doors and allows them to explore different career options. Furthermore, such an approach enables individuals to spend more time with their families and friends. For instance, Mark, an executive at a firm, stated that since he does not engage in the local community to help the underprivileged people, he is able to spend more time with his family and friends after work, enabling him to foster emotional connections. Moreover, people who are focused on their own lives are able to engage in their hobbies such as traveling or playing musical instruments, which are often vital to rejuvenate their minds.
On the other hand, certain individuals argue that it is important for individuals to volunteer in their local community to help others. First of all, this helps people such as the elderly by providing them with mental support as they struggle to cope with difficulties. Additionally, engaging in such welfare activities fosters emotional connections among different groups of people, which makes them feel valued in society. For instance, Roger, a retired officer at an old age home, said that he feels overjoyed when he sees Adam, a local graduate who often visits the home to offer aid from his welfare organization. He also said that as they spent several years together, he views him as his son, and he feels an emotional connection with him. Besides that, volunteers feel a sense of satisfaction when they engage in volunteering activities, as it adds a feeling of purpose in their lives.
In conclusion, while it can be agreed that there are several positive outcomes associated with volunteering in local communities to help others, in my opinion, it is wiser to be focused on one’s own life and priorities, as the benefits it offers—such as the ability to engage in hobbies, spend time with families and friends, and career advancement—are significantly more valuable to an individual.