How To Measure Your Worth by Isabella

How To Measure Your Worth by Isabella - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Many people try to seek happiness through making lots of money or by being the most popular person at school. These are unhealthy ways to measure happiness as they will always leave a sense of unfulfillment in their life. Often times, many of them find themselves trying to fill an empty void with short-term solutions that cause even more sorrow than before. As the famous Winston Churchill put it, “you make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” I have learned that true happiness does not come from materialistic items, but from what effect your life has on others. I came to this realization during my incredible volunteering experience my Freshman year.
My church, Memorial Drive United Methodist, goes on Work Camp every summer. It is a great week of volunteering, fun and worship. In the summer of 2015, we went to Jacksonville, Texas for our trip. Once we got there and unpacked, it was time to get to work. Usually, freshman get the painting jobs, such as repainting an old shed or church. However, this particular summer had an abundance of freshman and not enough upperclassmen. This meant that some people were going to have to split up and go to other sites. This was something no one wanted to do because everyone wanted to stay with their friends. Therefore, when our leader, Mark Bogart, asked for volunteers to go the Lone Star Military Resource Group, I sadly hesitated. The room went silent and then I mustered up the courage to raise my hand. I’m not sure what made me raise my hand, but I sure am glad I did. After I volunteered to go, about five others raised their hand as well. We put on our fanny packs, refilled our waters, got on the bus and headed to the veterans house.
My first task when we arrived at the house was to completely repaint the bathroom. I put the primer on first until the whole room was white, and then I put a beautiful blue coat on. There was paint on my shoes, in my hair and even on my face. I worked from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with only a little lunch break in between. Although repainting the bathroom was actually quite enjoyable, the best part was actually lunch- and it wasn’t just because of the food. While I chomped down on my turkey sandwich, I had one of the most mind opening conversations of my life with the owner of Lone Star Military Resource Group, Ms. Sanford, and several veterans. The veterans were the most humble, grateful and interesting human beings I have ever met. They told me stories about the war and how it has changed their life. They told me about how they have been coping since. Then, they told me that our volunteer work has been a great blessing during a rough time. The veterans inspired me, but Ms.Sanford is the one who changed me. Ms.Sanford was the most remarkable lady. She was the mastermind behind the veteran's house whose number one goal was to help others. Her selflessness resonated with me for many years.
If I never raised my hand, I would have never experienced this life changing moment in my life. I chose to separate from all my friends and to miss out on all the new inside jokes formed from that day. Initially, I thought it was going to be boring and not worth my time. I could have never been more wrong, as it made me the happiest I have been in a long time. Once I returned home, things like having the newest shoes or having the cutest boyfriend did not matter anymore. What mattered to me was how I touched someone else's life. I began measuring my worth by not what I have, but what I can offer to the world.