There have been multiple times in my life that I wondered what my purpose was. Why was I put on this earth and how can I make a difference? I remember pondering what my legacy would be. What I came to realize is that our legacy or purpose isn’t tied to how many people know us, if we ever make it on TV, how big our bank account is and definitely not the amount of followers we have. It is about the amount of lives we touch and change for the better.
That can be a smile to a stranger, sticking up for someone being bullied or any other act of kindness. The most fulfilling way of giving back is to take something we love and are passionate about, and use that to make the world a better place.
Several years ago, Haircuts with Hearts was founded by Rebbeca Beardsley and I was honored to be one of her first volunteers. It is a non-profit based in the Bay Area. Our goal is to provide free haircuts to as many homeless men, women and children as possible.
We gathered a team of volunteers, several buckets of supplies and began going into veteran halls, homeless shelters and sometimes stood on the street with a generator and our clippers cutting hair until it was too dark to see.
At the time of this article, I have volunteered at over 30 events both with Rebecca and on my own. I have built connections with shelters and the people who live there. I received awards of recognition from sororities, Contra Costa County and the California Senate. I was often thanked and complimented for the work I did. Yet my response was always the same, it is them I should be thanking. They have saved my life.
When I was depressed, they reminded me to be grateful.
When I was frustrated with the rising cost of living, I was reminded how lucky I was to be in a home.
When my children were upset they didn’t have a certain toy, they were reminded of how much they did have by volunteering with me.
When I had a hard day and wanted a drink, I looked into the eyes of those whose lives had been stolen by alcohol and drugs- and I was able to stay sober.
See I was once homeless, hopeless and addicted. I survived multiple suicide attempts as a child and young adult. But I made it out. I became a salon owner, award-winning author, TEDx speaker, wife and mom joyfully living in complete sobriety. I am grateful I survived and I want to continue to give back in any way I can. Whether through haircuts for the homeless, continuing to mentor young women of color or simply being kind to a stranger. It all makes a difference.
How can you give back your time, love and talents? Whose life can you change for the better? And how much better will you feel once you have?
