This past weekend, my son and I watched the movie Selma, which told the story of the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama, along with other activities of the civil rights movement that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Of course, Martin Luther King Jr. was prominently figured in Selma. And I can't think of anyone who epitomizes the virtue of service more than Dr. King.
"Everybody can be great....because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college education degree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Service has been on my mind lately. Partly because there is a new service club coming to the little town I live in, and another service club has been building little libraries across my community. You know the ones, a little 'building on a pole', where neighours can leave a book and take a book. Partly because recently, a way that I serve a loved one was questioned and reacted to by another loved one.
(I am still working my way through that one)
So many cool ideas are taking root across the world. Close by, in Portland Oregon, is the City Repair project that has revitalized and revolutionized 'public space' in Portland, while building community.
The projects are built by neighbours and have cost the Portland Council little to nothing, but have attracted world wide attention and many new residents to Portland.
Locally, we have so many groups that people volunteer in to serve their community. I am sure it is the same where you live. A few ways I have served are helping to eradicate an invasive species, english ivy, from a local park and stream side, working on fundraising to build transitional housing for women and kids who have fled abusive situations, housing that will give them a safe place to live with services on site, while they get their legs back so to speak and being a hospice volunteer. My years as a Baha'i taught me the importance of service and I have been truly blessed with the bounty a spirit of service brings.
So many of us practice service in so many ways, it can be as simple as opening a door for someone, or as complicated as sitting bedside in a 'vigil' when someone is dying.
"Using our gifts to be of service is the fullest expression of our lives. Each day, we find a multitude of ways to be useful. Whatever we may achieve, the quality of our own life comes from the quality of our contribution. First and foremost we serve our loved ones. We notice what others need, discover their wishes, and respond helpfully. We don't wait to be asked. A spirit of service invests whatever we do with excellence. We give our very best effort. People who want to be of service can change the world."
May each of us, in our own small or big way, serve this world we are blessed to have been born into.
May each of us, do our part, to change that world for the better.
Namaste
~ Kate
The Practice of Service
I look for opportunities to serve.
I work with wholehearted enthusiasm.
I do thoughtful things for my family and friends.
I don't wait to be asked when something needs doing.
I give freely of my time and attention.
I use my gifts to make a difference in the world.
I am thankful for the gift of Service. It makes my life a prayer.
Reflection Questions
Where do I see an opportunity to be useful?
What gifts do I have that my community/world needs now?
What kind of service calls me?
How can I bring an awareness of service to all my interactions?
Of course, Martin Luther King Jr. was prominently figured in Selma. And I can't think of anyone who epitomizes the virtue of service more than Dr. King.
"Everybody can be great....because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college education degree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Service has been on my mind lately. Partly because there is a new service club coming to the little town I live in, and another service club has been building little libraries across my community. You know the ones, a little 'building on a pole', where neighours can leave a book and take a book. Partly because recently, a way that I serve a loved one was questioned and reacted to by another loved one.
(I am still working my way through that one)
So many cool ideas are taking root across the world. Close by, in Portland Oregon, is the City Repair project that has revitalized and revolutionized 'public space' in Portland, while building community.
The projects are built by neighbours and have cost the Portland Council little to nothing, but have attracted world wide attention and many new residents to Portland.
Locally, we have so many groups that people volunteer in to serve their community. I am sure it is the same where you live. A few ways I have served are helping to eradicate an invasive species, english ivy, from a local park and stream side, working on fundraising to build transitional housing for women and kids who have fled abusive situations, housing that will give them a safe place to live with services on site, while they get their legs back so to speak and being a hospice volunteer. My years as a Baha'i taught me the importance of service and I have been truly blessed with the bounty a spirit of service brings.
So many of us practice service in so many ways, it can be as simple as opening a door for someone, or as complicated as sitting bedside in a 'vigil' when someone is dying.
"Using our gifts to be of service is the fullest expression of our lives. Each day, we find a multitude of ways to be useful. Whatever we may achieve, the quality of our own life comes from the quality of our contribution. First and foremost we serve our loved ones. We notice what others need, discover their wishes, and respond helpfully. We don't wait to be asked. A spirit of service invests whatever we do with excellence. We give our very best effort. People who want to be of service can change the world."
May each of us, in our own small or big way, serve this world we are blessed to have been born into.
May each of us, do our part, to change that world for the better.
Namaste
~ Kate
The Practice of Service
I look for opportunities to serve.
I work with wholehearted enthusiasm.
I do thoughtful things for my family and friends.
I don't wait to be asked when something needs doing.
I give freely of my time and attention.
I use my gifts to make a difference in the world.
I am thankful for the gift of Service. It makes my life a prayer.
Reflection Questions
Where do I see an opportunity to be useful?
What gifts do I have that my community/world needs now?
What kind of service calls me?
How can I bring an awareness of service to all my interactions?
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