Poverty

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
       - Mother Teresa

This quote has opened my eyes. I used to think that poverty was just those who don’t make money, are starving, and homeless. I would of never thought that poverty is something like not be loved, or happy. 

This quote made me feel bad and was an eyeopener to me. I realized that I as well as many other have probably made someone feel, unwanted, unloved, or uncared which is the greatest poverty. 

It has affected my actions. I know make more of a conscious effort to love everyone and make them feel worthy, important and cared for. 

Isaiah 40:29-31

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
      - Isaiah 40:29-31

I think this verse is very true. I have found this through my own experiences. When I have felt so weak that I didn’t know what to do or to keep going I found strength through Him. I now that the strength came from Him it was something good that re-assured my faith. Only God could do something like renewing strength. 

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey
 

I think this quote is very true. I think it’s pretty similar to the concept that if you always complain than you will never be content with anything. Some of the happiest people don’t have that much because they don’t complain about it and are thankful. Being a snob and always wanting more is not the reality in life. If you are thankful for everything that you have than if you ever gain something than you will be so much more thankful than the people who always get things.

Volunteering- Giving back to the nation

"And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation."
Michelle Obama


I think this quote is really inspiring. I agree with her position and opinion in volunteering. I think that no one has to be great at one thing. Going out in the community and just volunteering your time and heart could mean the world to the person that is receiving your service.

Giving

"Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others." Elbert Hubbard

I completely agree with this quote. I volunteer at Poudre Valley Hospital and have met all types of people. People who know that they have a deadly disease like cancer, or a heart problem, a brain tumor, or know that there premature baby is really sick and might not make it. Having experiencing being around those people has taught me to be grateful for what I do have because I could have much less like those people. Most of those people don’t take for granted the time they have with their loved ones but cherish them and feel that they don’t need anything but for healing of their loved one and  another day with them. 

I have received so much more knowledge and appreciation for what I have from volunteering and giving to others. I used to always think that I need something and that what I have isn’t enough, but now I know that I am lucky to have the stuff I do and not be in those situations that some are in. 

Love and Laughter

“All you need in the world is love and laughter. That's all anybody needs. To have love in one hand and laughter in the other.”

August Wilson

I think this quote is very true. Laughter and love are some of the two greatest free things in this world that any one is capable of giving and experiencing. 

Having expensive things are nice, but aren’t necessary. Some of the happiest people I know don’t have much money, items, or even food.  Some of them are even pretty sick with cancer or other deadly diseases, but feel content because they have love and laughter which gives them pure and endless happiness.  

Psalm 34:17-18

Psalms 34:17-18

"The righteous cry out, and all the Lord hears, And delivers them of all their troubles. The Lord is near the broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit."

This verse has helped me through the toughest of my times. It gives me encouragement and peace to know that He is always listening and carries all of my troubles, so I don’t have to deal with them. I know that He is so close to me and won’t ever leave me when my heart is broken and I’m confused. I know that He will heal my heart when it is broken if I just cry out to him.