Simply Serve

There’s always something, as moms, we do which annoy our children. Something I did, really still do but I don’t get ‘the look’ so much anymore, is volunteer my children to do something. For example I’d see a need at a neighbor’s house, maybe they just got home with a car load of groceries, I’d say, “Go over and help carry those groceries in.” Or the garbage men would be making their rounds on a scorching hot Las Vegas summer afternoon, I’d say, “Take them out a juice box.” Often I’d get the ‘are you serious’ look which, in return, I’d give the ‘yes, I’m very serious’ look.

My children, who are now all adults, just shake their heads whenever I say, “Oh, my kids will be happy to help.” The fortunate thing is I really don’t have to ‘volunteer’ them as volunteering or acts of service are second nature for them and for this I am deeply grateful. I witness my children from varying vantage points and I am continually awestruck by their gracious hearts, their impactful actions, the positive influence they emit to the Universe, and their continued inspiration.

As I share a bit of my children’s actions which I’ve recently observed may you, as I have been, be inspired. Also, may you notice anew, that service comes in many, many shapes and sizes, degrees of depths, can be fortuitous or purposeful.

My oldest daughter is an amazingly devoted wife, mother, business owner. Her commitment to her family reverberates into community, society, or as John Paul II said it best, “As the family goes so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” We don’t have to look much beyond our own front doors to know this is true; nor to know the truth and contribution to our economy of good, solid, hard working business owners. Service, at times, is being devoted in your roll as a mother, father, child, sibling, business owner, employer, employee. Simply being the best you can be within the four walls of your own home or place of employment is a great act of service in and of itself.

My oldest son, who is in his first year of graduate school working towards his doctorate in physical therapy, seizes the many opportunities to serve which come to him through school. He doesn’t have to go out searching as well organized opportunities abound, if you simply be aware. This isn’t all he does to serve. I often have people approach me when they ‘catch wind’ that I’m Chris’ mom and tell me sweet little stories of something Chris had done for them. Actually, it isn’t just the act but the authenticity of which the act was done that made the greater impact. Going through the motion of an act of service is one thing, but doing it from a true, authentic place takes things to a whole new Universal level.

My youngest son is so unexpected. He sees, he does, that’s it. There’s no fanfare, no preplanning, no searching, it simply just is. I have neighbors come up to me and say, “Did you son tell you what he did?” or “Your son did the most amazing thing for me…” or “Did you read the letter your son wrote for such and such cause?” No, I didn’t know, is almost always the case. He simply sees, does, done and the Universe responds to such clear simplicity.

My youngest daughter, an amazing woman; she teaches school and works part time for her sister. She never uses her busy schedule as an excuse not to serve. She volunteers for Habitats for Humanity, she makes sandwiches, drives to homeless areas, and passes them out, since my accident 14 years ago, even with her dislike of needles, she is a constant blood donor, and her recent volunteer adventure which requires training and screening is for one of the local hospitals, selecting the Intensive Care Unit as her first choice. When I was in the hospital I was in ICU and then isolation. As a young teen, the experience of having her mom there could have left a negative impact. As a young adult, watching her daddy fight for his life and crossing over after 2 ½ months in ICU could have left a negative impact. Instead, she has chosen to face her fears, seek the positive, and then simply make a difference.

My middle son shared a sweet story with me last night. He has a ritual of waking up reading a few scriptures, going on his knees to pray and within the prayer he always asks, “Let me be of service to someone today.” He tells me the opportunity doesn’t usually arrive for him. But, on Wednesday after the prayer he’s thinking about what he should do before going to work, take a walk, go to the gym, watch television. While he’s tossing the ideas around, his intuition tells him to take the garbage out.  Without thought or question he heeds his intuition and grabs his garbage. He no sooner does he get out the door when he hears a woman say in an elevated, frustrated tone, “Fuck!” He asks, “Are you okay?” She responds, “I have a flat tire, can you help me?” Okay, God, Goddess, the Universe, Creative Source, whatever name you associate with doesn’t often use the “F” word to grab your attention. However, you should begin to attune with your intuitive-self and know, every now and then, you simply must step outside your front door.

I am very proud of my children, truly, wholly, as much as any mother could possibly be and, having said that, I take no credit for their fabulousness. The Fab-Five would be as fabulous as they are with or without me in their lives. They are divine children of the Universe, sons and daughters of God. And so are you, SO ARE YOU.

I share these stories with you because I have a firm belief in acts of service as well as acts of gratitude. May these simple stories inspire you; remind you as I said in the beginning that service comes in many, many shapes and sizes, degrees of depths, can be fortuitous or purposeful. Just simply, purely serve one another.

If you are looking for a service project to be involved in, I’m assisting a friend of mine with collecting items for the VA office in Las Vegas. If you are interested, leave a comment here, email, or send me a message on Facebook. And remember, there’s no reason not to keep it so simple.

With deep gratitude, Sat Nam.