Being a volunteer has always been a huge part of my life. In high school I joined the Red Cross in freshmen year and worked at a shelter, helping children with homework and weekend programs. I did it for three years and although it sometimes depressed me, I loved being able to help out.

When I became unemployed last year a friend of mine told me about the volunteer program she was a part of NY Cares. It sounded like a great organization so I joined and even got to work with my friend at a program that taught little kiddies basic yoga moves. I had a blast! This past spring I found another program called the Young Authors program. This program combines young people with a passion or a talent (or both!) for writing with volunteers that love writing.

The program was filled with the sweetest and most imaginative kids in the world and I loved every minute of the program. I was offered a chance to try out to be a team leader (meaning I would run the program at a local school) but I felt that I lacked the proper experience and chose instead to return to the same locale I worked in the spring. Some of the kids from last session were there especially one girl who I had worked with. She is inspirational in her persistence and bravery in her writing.

These kids who write such whimsical, outlandish and hilarious myths, short stories and poetry inspired me to let go of any ego in my writing and just write!

Anyway, today was a lesson in children teaching those who supposedly wiser than they in the ways of the world. Writing out of a place of pure thought and energy is always exciting and productive than treating it as a chore or an annoying labor. While they wrote about how they saw themselves in ten years,I reflected on how much I love writing and as critical I can on myself, I need to let that go and create what I want out of a place of love.

I wish the same for you all!