Community Analysis

The summer following my junior year in high school I decided to volunteer at my community's local senior center. As a student, I have always been known to be an introvert who triple thinks every single decision I have to make. I have also lived with anxiety for many years now and worried about the simplest things. The anxiety that afflicts me has prevented me from being the typical, outspoken, loud leader. However, my decision to provide aid at my community’s senior center helped me gain a new perspective about my way of living, and it has allowed me step out of my narrow perspective of social situations.
After looking for opportunities to do community service as a way to maintain myself occupied during the summer, I found the Parlier Senior …show more content…
As a matter of fact, even the main administrator is a volunteer. This means that if there isn’t any volunteers at the senior center, the seniors themselves are responsible for cleaning it, this includes mopping, washing dishes, and even cleaning tables. In my time there, I have accepted the duties of providing general assistance to the main coordinator, keeping the establishment tidy and chatting with the seniors. Personally, my favorite thing to do there is crafting and chatting with the seniors. I adore the days when I sit and paint birdhouses or ceramic sculptures while listening to the ladies’ conversations. It is those conversations that have taught me the most about myself. Up to my experience at the senior center, I had been living anxious and worried about everything; always sweating the small things. After listening to everything they’ve lived through and the adventures they’ve had in life, I learned that I couldn’t continue living afraid. Life is for one to enjoy, and it is impossible to enjoy it while being trapped in one’s comforting …show more content…
I have found myself being a lot more adventurous and slowly stepping out and away from my introverted self. The new perspective I gained at the senior center has given me the confidence to not be afraid to go out and help others, all while teaching me that it is those small, little risks and adventures you take in life that teach you the most. By sharing my experience, I have also influenced other students to volunteer there to help the seniors. This way I have assured that there will be someone to help them when I’m absent. I believe I have gained the confidence to go out and seek new, and unrecognized, opportunities. I am determined to continue walking around, only this time not letting my anxiety overcome me because after all, my youth is only temporary and it is up to me to use it wisely. The personal skills I have acquired from this incredible opportunity is what has inspired me to abandon my comfortable home for