I have been wanting to start a blog for several years but I was not sure where to start or how to do it. Working a website was a foreign concept and I had no idea what I would write about. I did not know that when I started my blog, I wanted my first blog post to be about volunteering at Habit for Humanity in Palm Coast, FL. Well, it has been quite a few years later and after looking through my massive group a random long lost photos in my phone I remembered this moment. As you can see I finally started my blog and what once seemed so hard has become easy. It can be hard to do things when they feel uncertain.
Back in 2018, times felt so uncertain as I had been in Florida for a little over a year and still haven't quite adjusted. I was missing my friends back home, and I was so ready to leave; but I was enrolled in master's program studying for degree in Business Administration. I could not quit and I had to finish out the program. It was on my vision board for years and finally I was in school and also in another state.
I felt so torn as I wanted to go back home to what was familiar and safe. I felt lonely and missed being able to just show up at friend's home. I mean, C'mon. I am a city girl from Boston, MA. I am used to trains, buses, random people everywhere, and knew where to go for a great bite to eat. Moving to Florida was great as I wanted a change, but things have felt so uncertain because it was new territory. My parent's moved down a few years prior, but I missed the rest of my family, my church, and my amazing friends who were such a gift from God. I did not know how I was going to make it as I was having difficulty finding a good fit for a job in the area.
Looking back its amazing to see the things I accomplished but when I was going through it, times seemed so uncertain. I was in the master's program, and in between jobs. I needed something to get my mind off my troubles and signed up to volunteer. It was such a great experience as I learned so much about building a house. I also learned the stories of other people and why they were also volunteering. The home was purchased by First-time homebuyers and they were financing via Habit for Humanity. The labor and materials provided made the home more affordable for the family. The backyard was also huge.
My friend at the time, who also became my husband volunteered with me and it is an experience I will never forget. Surprisingly he agreed to come volunteer with me. I felt like such a girl as it has been years since I used any equipment or hammer. The last time I did something with a hammer was hanging up some pictures around the house. The fun thing is using a hammer reminded me of my childhood at Girls, Inc. We made some cool projects and I was reminded that I did have a creative side.
I was afraid to swing a hammer on this house and felt like I didn't have much to offer but in actuality I did. I offered my time, and learned on the job how to line up the screws, use the chalk to mark where the wood would go, and also how to side the wood so it fit. I was very proud of myself. It was a hot summer day but we made it through.
I learned that I am not helpless and can do something to help make my situation better. I don't have the sit home and worry. I can get in the community and do something amazing with my time.
Volunteering can help you find a new purpose and passion in your life. It can also help you get out of a rut. We as humans need purpose and things to do. We were designed that way. I know life is not always easy but some things can be done to make it manageable. Volunteering can help carry you over until your next moment comes, until then learn something new about yourself and know that you have power to make a change. It may remind you that times can be good again.
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