Being of service

"Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Believe it or not, being available for others is something that does not come natural to me.  I have to work at it!  What is ironic is that I use to think that I was of service to others.  The reality was that I would make myself available if I wanted to, it was convenient or if it was going to be recognized for my service.   If it didn’t meet one of the criteria; I had excuses abound as to why I wasn’t available.

So I sometimes wonder if I’m in this coaching/writing thing for the wrong reasons. Do I do this just to fuel my ego and because I want to feel good about myself?

So what does  being of service  to  others  mean to  me? There is volunteer work; but what I’m mostly referring to is being physically and emotionally there for those that I know and people I don't know.  It means taking time to listen to a friend who may be going through a tough time and missing a favorite TV show to do so.  I don’t even necessarily need to offer up advice; just listening and being there for them can be enough. Being of service is an integral part of the journey toward finding fulfillment and staying spiritually connected. Being of service requires alignment with your values. 

Being of service to something — a person, a group, a community, a cause or a belief — means that you’ve chosen to engage without expectation of reciprocation

My greatest fear is not living up to my fullest potential and fully utilizing the gifts God chose to instill in me. I am gifted in certain areas, so as not to make me rich with material things, but to bless those who need my talents the most. There are lives in this world I am suppose to change just by my serving them. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives. Our families, friends and our work are naturally our priority and sometimes we feel we have nothing left to give.  We stress over things that others pray was their only challenge. If we aren’t careful, we can take for granted the blessings all around us. We should all be grateful for the gifts and get busy serving. 

But also taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It is a requirement needed in order to serve. You have to have some level of self-focus and self-care in order to be able to have enough to give away. If your choice to be of service is costing you more than you can afford (financial, emotional, physical, spiritual) you need to make a new choice. 

We want you around to live your purpose and give your gift for a long time. If you are so worn out that you end up resenting those you are helping, what good is that to you or them?

An openness to learning about being of service begins a most illuminating journey to self discovery and to keep you spiritually connected.   

1) What does it mean to be of service to yourself?

2) What does it mean to be of service to others?

3) What does it mean to be of service to others and not lose yourself in the process?

  

                #Getinspired