Last weekend I was reminded of my failure as a human being. Before you begin to make assumptions, let me assure you that I am not some vile or immoral person. I pay my taxes and go to church like the average person.

But like the average person, I also get so caught up in my own life that I forget one of the main reasons I have been put on this earth — to serve.

Regardless of nationality, religion, or political party affiliation, I think most of us would agree that the world would be a better place if more people volunteered in their communities. I saw service in action this week as I wrote about different groups in Surry County.

On Saturday I attended a 4-H club meeting, and I was reminded of my wonderful years as a 4-Her. There’s no cost to join 4-H, yet the possibilities are endless. This organization offered me a variety of learning and activity opportunities. More importantly, it encouraged and often required me to volunteer. After all, one of the components of the 4-H pledge is to pledge your “hands to larger service.”

I remember picking up trash on the side of the road with the Adopt-A-Highway program. And there were the times that we planted flowers for churches and nursing homes. My most memorable day of service is when I had to rip up hardwood floors out of a house. The materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity. It was backbreaking work and of a type I had never done before. But seeing our progress made the work all worthwhile.

Last weekend I also wrote a story about AmeriCorps for Monday’s paper. I have a sister and several friends across the country who are participating or want to participate in the program. These people are dedicating much of a year to a program that will help local communities and organizations. Many Piedmont participants are volunteering at local daycares and preschools to give teachers time to further their education.

These people volunteer of their own accord. In college, I was required to volunteer. At Salem we each had to complete 30 hours of community service in our sophomore or junior year. I remember thinking when I signed up for class that the 30 hours would take forever and hinder my studies. I should just volunteer when college was over and I had more time, I thought.

How wrong I was. The afternoons that I spent at the assisted living were some of the most fulfilling hours of my college career. I would show up frustrated and tired, but I would always leave energized by the people I had come to help. It’s amazing how helping someone else and brightening up their day can suddenly make yours seem so much better. Your day has a purpose, a meaning.

And yet, how quickly I forgot that feeling. I forgot that my duty is to serve. Now I am too busy. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself. Then I plop down on the couch on a Saturday to watch the second movie I’ve rented this week. Something’s wrong with this picture. To serve or not to serve? It shouldn’t even be a question.

Before I found a job after college, I spent a lot of time moping around. And I got really familiar with television programming. What a waste. I wish I had spent that time volunteering. For the many out there who are unemployed, don’t sit around like I did. After you hand out resumes and knock on all the doors you can, then spend the rest of the day volunteering to make the community a better place. You’ll find motivation and joy in the midst of your circumstance.

So thank you local 4-Hers and AmeriCorps members for reminding me that the world doesn’t revolve around me. The world is full of opportunities to serve others, and in service I don’t just fulfill my human obligation. I find joy.

Meghann Evans is a staff reporter for the Mount Airy News. She may be reached at mevans@mtairynews.com or at 719-1952.