February Assignment - Are You Being of Service?

"How am I being of service to the world?"

I attempt to do the absolute best work I can. I work within my integrity and honesty. I value myself and all those who I interact with. I attempt, within the best of my ability, to help and serve with humility and consciousness.

But what does “being of service” really mean? Is it greatness? Achieving political heights? Traveling the world as an ambassador, teacher, singer, author, actor? You get my drift I’m sure.

Are we of service only when we achieve acclaim and foresight for the betterment of the entire world?

As I was arriving back from vacation on January 6th, the United States government had shut down. I went through customs and the airport, thanking each employee for coming to work and letting them know that I appreciated them.

This morning, I took my garbage out just as the garbage truck was pulling up. I watched the guy jump off the back of the truck and get my extra garbage while the mechanical arm picked up the bin. As I watched, he smiled, waved and they headed down to the next house.

After that, I left to go pick up groceries. As the grocery store worker brought my groceries to my car, I thanked him as I got back in my car, and it hit me.

Each of these people was being of service to me… and to their community!

Reality shifted into gear. Each and every single one of us, no matter what we do, if we are paid or unpaid; we are of service to each other.

How many times do we take our fellow humans for granted by not realizing that they are being of service to us just as we are being of service to them. It’s a thought that I hope we all think about with greater depth. No matter what you do in your life, you are being of service. You don’t need fame, you don’t need notoriety. You need your friends, your neighbors, your community helpers. You need yourself. You need you to make a decision to be of service.

Payment is a way we qualify whether or not we are successful. In the old days, we bartered. We didn’t care who had what wealth, we cared about whether or not they had a cord of wood for our 2 bales of hay. We didn’t judge by assets we accepted by generosity. We loved in our humility and kindness towards one another.

We haven’t always had a great track record in our history of service. Some took instead of giving, many were forced to give without reciprocation. I guess the point I’m making is this: treat every single person you see, day to day, once in a lifetime, as someone who is being of service to you, and in return, with your smile, you’re giving back. With that, you are forever in service to the world.

You may just be one lone soul within the world, but your worth is as great as anyone else. There is no quick way to the heights of wealth or success. That, dear friends, is done within the quality and breadth of your own heart.