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Monday, September 22, 2008

How I Have Contributed To My Community

I participate in many different types of community service activities from various groups. The most influential group has been my church youth group. I belong to a church with a wonderful youth group run by a woman who is clearly dedicated to serving others. I view her as a role model.
During the summer of 2005, I went on a mission trip to Yakima. We stayed on a Native American reservation and performed service work. We painted houses for some families who really needed the help, and we took care of their children. Even though we were there to help others, I really think the people of Yakima helped me even more, because I learned what this culture has to deal with on a daily basis. Even though these people struggle financially, I learned that they do not rely on material things for happiness. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in wanting “stuff”, believing this “stuff” will make me happy only to discover that it does not. For me, it is serving others through God that truly makes me happy; this is a significant part of my life.
Doing this mission trip confirmed my desire to be a psychologist. I know I have the compassion and empathy to excel in this work. I know I have just started my journey, and yet I know that helping people create healthy lives is what I am meant to do with my life.

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