Seek To Serve

Seek To Serve

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

—Albert Schweitzer

Recently my wife had a conversation with her 90-year-old mother. When she told me that her mom wanted to contact Hospice, my first reaction was one of panic.

“Oh, my gosh,” I said. “What has she been keeping from us? Is she not well?”

Diane smiled. “No, honey,” she said. “You don’t understand; she wants to be trained to serve as a Hospice volunteer.”

I took a deep breath and chuckled. Then I began to reflect on the deeper meaning of my motherinlaw’s desire.

I believe her real intention was to announce to life that even at 90 she is still alive and has a gift to share with the world.

I know that she has been in more than a fair amount of emotional and physical pain since she lost her beloved spouse of 60-plus years to Parkinson’s disease. Ever since his passing nine years ago, I believe she has felt a bit lost.

Perhaps her deeper wisdom was sensing the essence of what Gandhi meant when he said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Sometimes when we are in pain the simple act of extending ourselves to others brings instant relief and an understanding that who we are and what we do matters. Serving others lifts us up and opens a portal through which we can step into a new awareness of what brings us happiness, meaning and purpose, irrespective of our age.

Several months ago I received a call from my 14yearold granddaughter Cailin. She and my 16yearold grandson James were inviting me to come and watch a baseball game in which they were involved.

They both excel at sports, so I went expecting to see some spectacular action on the field, but what I saw literally took my breath away.

There is a sports program in Simi Valley called the Little League Challenger Division, in which special needs kids play baseball. Ballplayers range in age from 4 to their early 20s, and they are challenged by a multitude of mental and physical disabilities.

For each child on the field there was a “buddy” playing near them, assisting them if needed and, what is more important, cheering them on. James and Cailin were two of the buddies on the field and, along with some other local teens, assisted at every game of the season. They were there because they asked to participate. No one mandated their presence.

I believe they were called to be there by the same inner voice that silently whispered to their greatgrandmother, saying, “Who you are matters—you have a gift to share, irrespective of your age. That gift is your presence, your caring, your compassion and your love.”

The lesson for me was it is never too soon or too late to learn how to serve.

Whether you are 14 or 90, know that you matter. Find a way to extend yourself and give back to life today, and don’t allow your age to be an excuse for sitting on the sideline.

Believe that you are able to make a difference, and seek an appropriate place to do so for the sake of humankind as well as your own.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Help yourself by helping others—you’ll be amazed at how connected, vital and alive you feel. Schweitzer was right: Seek to serve and you’ll be a happier person. That alone will make the world a better place to be, and in this day in time, that’s a very good thing.

 

Dennis Merritt Jones is a local spiritual mentor, keynote speaker and author of the book "The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life." Contact him at www.DennisMerrittJones.com.