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Being of Service I have blogged more than once about being of service to others in some small way to enact change rather than rather than carrying on about negative about what's wrong with things. I found this poem in my read today that does a good job of suggesting ways to do it, The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. --Mahatma Gandhi The Pleasure of Serving --by Gabriela Mistral, Aug 31, 2015 All of nature is a yearning for service: The cloud serves, and the wind, and the furrow. Where there is a tree to plant, you be the one. Where there is a mistake to undo, let it be you. You be the one to remove the rock from the field, The hate from human hearts, And the difficulties from the problem. There is joy in being wise and just, But above all there is the beautiful, The immense happiness of serving. How sad the world would be if all was already done. If there was no rosebush to plant, No enterprise to undertake. Do not limit yourself to easy tasks. It's so beautiful to do what others dodge. But don't fall prey to the error that only Great tasks done can be counted as accomplishments. There are small acts of service that are good ones: Decoratively setting a table, Putting some books in order, Combing a little girl's hair. That one over there is the one that criticizes, This other one is the one that destroys. You be the one that serves. Serving is not a labor just for inferior beings. God, who gives fruit and light, serves. His name could be rendered thus: He Who Serves. And he has his eyes on our hands, And he asks us at the close of day: " did you render service today? To whom? To a tree, to your friend, to your mother Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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For me being of service for others was the beginning of my recovery from a breakdown last year. I realised when I came out from 'inside' there were a lot of people hurting in the world. I used to cry while driving my car sometimes. Then I saw other people crying in their cars a few times, it got me wondering. I'm now helping a lady over her grief, 53 years of marriage and she lost her husband 18 months ago. She is not coping yet, also I'm encouraging her to come to rest homes with me where 'shut ins' are and visit. Sometimes they thank me with tears for visiting. It's not hard to simply be there and listen. They do most of the talking and that suits me too. They just want an ear to share their burdens with. I always feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose/destiny in this life when I do things like this. Judgment Day will be interesting - and all paths lead there.
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8/31/2015 7:39 pm |
For me being of service for others was the beginning of my recovery from a breakdown last year. I realised when I came out from 'inside' there were a lot of people hurting in the world. I used to cry while driving my car sometimes. Then I saw other people crying in their cars a few times, it got me wondering. I'm now helping a lady over her grief, 53 years of marriage and she lost her husband 18 months ago. She is not coping yet, also I'm encouraging her to come to rest homes with me where 'shut ins' are and visit. Sometimes they thank me with tears for visiting. It's not hard to simply be there and listen. They do most of the talking and that suits me too. They just want an ear to share their burdens with. I always feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose/destiny in this life when I do things like this. Spiritwoman ^i^
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I agree and there are points that serve as timely prompts/reminders for the offering of more selfless service - always, there is room for improvement. Thanks.
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9/1/2015 3:18 am |
Hi Spirit: I had my first experience with service when I couldn't stand to watch a homeless man sleep on a park bench every night one Winter. I stormed into the park one night, brushed the snow off him, and even though he had an open bottle of paint remover in his pocket and the smell almost knocked me out, I practically carried him to an AA meeting. Everyone made him feel so welcome, and after the meeting I dragged him to my apartment, fed him, and let him sleep on our couch. My husband almost had a fit and he slept with a hammer under his pillow that night. To my surprise my own depression started to lift the more I helped this man and the more progress he made. He started going to AA on his own, we rented him a little apartment, he went into treatment, and what a total surprise he became a paid speaker at AA as he had quite a story to tell. As it turns out the man didn't even remember me or how he started going to AA.
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We don't really have to look very far, there is always someone who could use a little assistance and I try to help when I am able. I enjoyed the poem. Alfie...
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9/1/2015 9:28 am |
Spirit would you please delete that first response I made as I changed it a little and posted it again. Thanks
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9/1/2015 9:20 pm |
I'm sure they do. To the recipients they are very important. it doesn't take a lot to help someone who does not drive to keep their life on track. getting to the store is very important for all of us. Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:21 pm |
I agree and there are points that serve as timely prompts/reminders for the offering of more selfless service - always, there is room for improvement. Thanks. Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:24 pm |
Hi Spirit: I had my first experience with service when I couldn't stand to watch a homeless man sleep on a park bench every night one Winter. I stormed into the park one night, brushed the snow off him, and even though he had an open bottle of paint remover in his pocket and the smell almost knocked me out, I practically carried him to an AA meeting. Everyone made him feel so welcome, and after the meeting I dragged him to my apartment, fed him, and let him sleep on our couch. My husband almost had a fit and he slept with a hammer under his pillow that night. To my surprise my own depression started to lift the more I helped this man and the more progress he made. He started going to AA on his own, we rented him a little apartment, he went into treatment, and what a total surprise he became a paid speaker at AA as he had quite a story to tell. As it turns out the man didn't even remember me or how he started going to AA. Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:26 pm |
Beautiful thought provoking Blog-- it's a joy always to serve others in big or small ways-- I just purchased 4 new tires for a single mom -- my girlfriends Daughter-- she needs them for the upcoming winter which isnt going to be great they say-- up in Washington !! Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:27 pm |
We don't really have to look very far, there is always someone who could use a little assistance and I try to help when I am able. I enjoyed the poem. Alfie... Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:28 pm |
Spirit would you please delete that first response I made as I changed it a little and posted it again. Thanks Spiritwoman ^i^
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9/1/2015 9:29 pm |
That they are. We are all in this together. Spiritwoman ^i^
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