Spend a Year or Two in Service to Others

I went to my college reunion last year and briefly met an alum who graduated in the 1940's. When he found out I finished in the 90's he asked, "So what have you been doing with the last ten years of your life?" Some might think his question a bit presumptuous, but I kind of liked it. It was a good reminder that we should be able to look back on our lives with pride, and without regrets. Plan now so you can do that in the future. Consider spending the next year or two years in service to others. Here are several programs that will help you do it:

* Teach for America (www.teachforamerica.org) calls "upon our country's most promising future leaders to commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and to become lifelong advocates for change."

*AmeriCorps (www.americorps.org) "is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment."

* Peace Corps (www.peacecorps.gov) volunteers work all over the world in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.

* Nurses for America (www.nursesforamerica.org) strives to "make a difference in the health of Americans across the country." Registered nurses can sign up for a two-year salaried position at a community health center, faith-based neighborhood clinic or public health department.

* CityYear (www.cityyear.org) engages youth full-time in national and local service projects and community events.

Each of these programs pays a stipend and helps with student loans, among many other benefits. Is your life fulfilling? Think about how it could be. Now make it happen!

If two years is too much, try two hours of work at a food bank, or two weeks of building a house for the homeless in your community, or two months of teaching someone to read. Check out the United Way (www.unitedway.org) for shorter-term volunteer opportunities in your area. You may also want to visit usafreedomcorps.gov which has information on Senior Corps, Citizen Corps, Learn and Serve America, and more. If you are technically inclined, consider service through Geek Corps (geekcorps.org) and if you're medically inclines, try Doctors without Borders (www.msf.org). You may even want to earn a Masters in Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service (http://clintonschool.uasys.edu/). It's the only program of its kind in the nation.

Is your life fulfilling? Think about how it could be. Take steps now to make it happen!

"Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open." - Rose Wilder Lane