It’s so easy to only think of oneself when you are on the job hunt. You’re in your own head all the time, cultivating new ways to explain yourself and your experience to yet another new perspective employer. One goes through the constant practice of selling oneself, boasting about your own brand and what you can bring to the table so you can find a way to survive.

You live in the land of ME. Sometimes, in order to find balance in this stress ‘in-between’ time, the best way of shaking off a case of the “me’s” is to give back.

With Thanksgiving coming up, and the rest of the year end holidays just around the corner, this is a time of gratitude and assessment of the world around you. The best way to give is to volunteer your time to an organization where you ideas and hands are in need. It could be a local soup kitchen, a hospital or community organization that cleans your local park, beach or zoo.

I’ve begun volunteering at Project Angel Food, a wonderful organization in Los Angeles. “Project Angel Food’ mission is to prepare and nourish the sick as they battle critical illness”. Kitchen staff prepare delicious food based on the client’s nutritional needs, and is delivered by staff and volunteers. Right now, I’ve started by beading bracelets sold online for donations. It’s a great place to be.

Perhaps it’s selfish of me to think that I’m doing something good and mention it on here, but really – it’s just a need to give back during a time in my life when it’s all about me.

And this post is to encourage you, whether you are gamefully employed or not – to reach out and help others as an offering of gratitude for all the wonderful things in your life. There are those out there worse off, believe me. It will ground you during this very scary time in our world.

Happy Thanksgiving.