I find volunteer work rewarding. I've done all kinds, and they all have their benefits. I also really enjoy sports, soccer in particular. Hockey is a love of mine, but I will forever be a spectator.
Soccer is great, and after being a coach I find that I'm a much better player than I ever was before even after quitting soccer at 17 and only taking it up again a couple years ago. Coaching a youth team really gave me an incentive to improve and get on a higher division team and take the game seriously again, but also play rec on the side just for fun.
And to think I was essentially conned into doing it is weird. One day, there was a team with no coach, and with no coach there was no season for 16 kids. A professor of mine knew that I did volunteer work and loved soccer (we actually played against each other in Men's league while I was taking his tax course) and asked me if I'd do it. I couldnt say no or 16 kids were hooped. And here I am, enjoying it (mostly
) two years later.
The only thing that would make kids soccer better, is no kids. They are terrible at everything. They're lucky I'm here.
But rewarding and contentedness are 2 different animals.
I think 'being content' is a myth, I'll be content the say I'm lying in a wooden box 6 feet under.
Beer is also good. I think people need to take more time to kick back, have a beer and relax.