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Grubble Grubble
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Sunday, June 07, 2009 :::
Service...
I had planned another post that I had been working on, but then something happened. Today is normally a day off for me and given the number of hours I work during any given week, my days off are precious to me. A co-worker needed a day off and I got called to come in.
Now, I was tired to begin with because I went out drinking and dancing last night with a friend and did not come home until very late. When I was woken by my phone, I had only had about 5 hours of sleep (of course, I was also woken earlier by my birds). Here is now where the choice comes.
I could have said no. They cannot force me to come in on a day off. There were enough people to perform all the shows. However, without me, no one would have been able to take a break during the day. Having run from show to show on too many occasions myself, I am sensitive to others having to do so. When the call came, I knew I was going to work. No choice.
Now, here is the real choice. I could have been bitter about going into work. I could very easily have developed a negative attitude and allowed myself to plunge into the depths of that feeling. I was tired, a bit hung over, and I really was looking forward to a relaxing day.
I chose to be positive about this. I am a performer and I now had an opportunity to perform. Plus, I remembered what my friend, Merg, had said about how I have changed people’s lives. Besides, I was going in for 3 hours at best. This would be 3 shows and a chance at some human interaction with guests and other performers who were my friends. Today became a very good day.
Now, this sounds like a story about having a positive attitude towards life, and it is to some extent. However, this is not the main point I want to express.
I want to talk about service. After my beloved died, and I had worked out my own issues relating, I realized that the noblest thing I could do was to live a life of service. This is how it begins. I spent today at work in service of others. It was joyful service to others because I was prescient enough to realize that I had this opportunity.
We all can choose to live a life of service or become self-serving. I lament that it seems that society teaches us to look out for ourselves, many times at the expense of those around us. We are taught to do unto others before they do unto us.
How easy could it be to change? Help a friend move, open a door for someone, or just find a way to make someone smile. This is service. Sometimes, a sympathetic ear can be the best service you can offer.
Too many times in my life, I have been guilty of not living a life of service. I lament the missed opportunities to help someone because I was too caught up in my own life and issues. I lament any moment I lost with my beloved because of a self-centered nature.
We do need to remember to take care of ourselves, but that sometimes means putting someone else first. Service is not a life of obligation, it is a life of reward. Help someone now and they will help you later, but do not expect it. Just enjoy it if it happens. Besides, your service can strengthen a friendship and how can this not be a joyful thing?
Commit to mindset of service. When you wake up each morning, remind yourself that you will improve your day, and someone else’s day, through service. Reap the benefits, both spiritual and material, from service.
Namaste
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