Personal Analysis of the Chapter, In Giving I Connect with Others, of Isabel Allende's, This I Believe

This I Believe: Isabel Allende: In Giving I connect with others. This Chapter really stuck out to me; by reading I found a lot connection. “In Giving I Connect with Others,” the title speaks for itself, but to elaborate and go in-depth, the writer Isabel Allende had a 28-year old daughter who was very sick, went in a coma and later past in 1992. Losing her daughter in her very arms was difficult for her. While in her process of grief she reflect over her life, she came to the understanding that she was still the same person she had been 50 years ago. She still had the zeal for life, falls in love easily, craves justice, and ferociously independent. Her daughter Paula lived a life of service. She spent her days volunteering at several facilities. She spent eight hours a day, six days a week helping women and children. She never had the money, but she needed very little. Paula’s passing was a very hard time for her mother to cope with. She had to let go of everything that might reminded her of daughter; everything from her voice, laughter, appearance, and also her spirit. Losing Paula was a cleansing experience for Isabel, she was forced to get rid of excess baggage and kept only what was essential and important. Paula taught her mother Isabel a very valuable lesson “don’t get so attached to anything”. I personally learned a lot from this chapter. I am always willing to help others in any way that I can. I always volunteer when there is an opening. So far I have volunteer in various locations such as Valley Rescue Mission, Feeding the Homeless, Clothing Bank, Teen Challenge, and etc. Growing up I have always learned that it is better to give than to receive. Because when you give to someone out of the goodness of your heart, you never know how much you’re giving meant to them. I am always cleaning out my closet ready to give to Goodwill and the Clothing Bank. I have always been taught that when you want to give something away, put yourself at the other