Filling Buckets
This week, we welcome guest blog writer Saumya Colgan. Saumya is a high school senior born in Scotland with Irish and Indian origins. She has been volunteering since she was seven and is currently a Wayfinder at Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. In 2023, she volunteered in the Dominican Republic as part of a global health initiative, creating sustainable structures and offering basic healthcare to communities.
When I was younger, I read a book called Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McLeod. It describes how everyone has an invisible bucket to hold good thoughts and feelings. The book is meant to teach kids how to be kind to others and "fill their buckets," but I believe that it is a good metaphor for human interactions. As a volunteer, I strive to fill others' buckets and often find that mine gets filled too. Whenever I reflect on this concept, a particular memory surfaces. It was a cold winter day, and I had just returned to my post. I was smiling at everyone walking past me when suddenly, a woman stopped in her tracks, looked at me, and said: "Thank you for your smile." This fleeting moment filled my bucket and reminded me why I volunteer. We don't always know what others are carrying. They might feel lonely, unseen or have faced bad news. A smile, a simple yet powerful tool, can fill others' buckets and serve as a friendly reminder that warmth and positivity still exist in the world. Although volunteers have a formal purpose, I believe our job is to brighten environments. Volunteering is unique because it isn't a paid position, meaning everyone has chosen to show up every day. Even when things feel a bit slow, I have never ended a shift in a bad mood. I've had difficult moments, but I've learned from them and view them as chances to fill others' buckets. Volunteering is and has always been one of the highlights of my life. Throughout the years, I have had many opportunities to forge invaluable human connections. These connections, built on the foundation of kindness, make volunteering truly special. Volunteers are bucket fillers, the silent contributors who make the world a little brighter.