We can all take a cue from singer Sheryl Crow. After recovering from breast cancer in 2006, the survivor reclaimed her life by becoming more vocal (no pun intended) about matters that were close to her heart - global warming, fundraising for Scleroderma research, political activism against the invasion of Iraq - and has backed up her talk with action, by donating some proceeds of ticket sales to the UN World Food program and a percentage of record sales to breast cancer research.
Most recently, she's even offered to give away digital copies of her current album, Detours, to anyone who gets three people to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election.
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Role model
By involving herself in issues that affect others, rather than focusing only on her own troubles, Crow successfully battled cancer and moved forward with her life, even adopting a child along the way. Her actions make her happier and put her more in touch with others, which makes her successful in a way that's measured beyond dollars. She is a true model for all of us to follow to get at our own self-fulfillment.
Say it
Although most of us aren't superstar musicians with the power of influence or the financial means to benefit millions, we do have a voice - and that voice should not be suppressed, even if it's just in a simple conversation with a friend. So what's the lesson? Don't be afraid to be opinionated! It doesn't matter if others don't agree with you - you're getting your feelings off your chest and, at the same time, you're becoming a conversationalist, which makes you more interesting.
Volunteer
Once you tackle that aspect of openness, you can move on to volunteering. According to getinvolved.gov, a website run by the Corporation of Community Service (an organization for Americans to become involved in critical areas through community involvement) volunteering helps rebuild communities and solve serious social problems, but it's also great for your health!
The site notes that volunteering enhances social support networks, which, in turn, enhances the well-being of the volunteer. The Public Health Agency of Canada claims that "people with strong social support networks have lower premature death rates, less heart disease, and fewer risk factors." L. Graff, of Volunteer Ontario, issued research which claimed that volunteering "can improve self-esteem, reduce heart rates and blood pressure, increase endorphin production, enhance immune systems, buffer the impact of stress, and combat social isolation."
This is especially true in older adults, who will enjoy an increased life expectancy because social interaction improves quality of life. Furthermore, focusing on the details involved in campaigns or fundraisers helps keep one's mind sharp, which helps buffer against many mind-diminishing adult onset diseases.
Feel it
Sound like poppycock? Then just think about it... the last time you did a good deed, did you get goose bumps? Did you have a little extra spring in your step? Did you walk a little prouder, a bit straighter? Did you smile more? All these are reactions from reaching out to others who you can help.
Once you've moved on from having an opinion to getting involved, you may find yourself in a much happier place. You have more friends, more invites to social occasions, more information about various topics, a positive feeling from knowing that you've helped make someone else's life better. Just remember, it all started with a conversation… so don't be afraid to speak up - you'll be happier and healthier!
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