Giving the Gift of You

With "that" time of the year fast approaching, this posting from Daily Om seems to be rather appropriate as it focuses on serving the wider community.

 

Being of service to our community is part

of being a good citizen of the planet earth.

 

To live harmoniously, we need to be supportive and helpful to all people, creatures, and plant life that share this earth with us.  While “being of service” is part of being a good citizen of the world, it also feels good to help others.  When we do something for others in service, without the expectation of anything in return, we are turning our actions into offerings. 

 

There are many ways to be of service to our community.  There are the obvious and much needed volunteer opportunities, such as serving meals at a shelter, mentoring our youth, or cleaning up a beach.  Then, there is the kind of service that we may not even think of as being acts of service.  These can include inviting someone who is not motivated enough to exercise on their own to join you on your daily walk is a way to give of yourself; sharing flowers or vegetables from your garden; organising a poetry reading; or donating pet food to an animal shelter all are simple ways to offer your services to your community.

There are many ways that you can serve the world.  Imagine the impact we would have on the environment if we picked up one piece of trash off the street everyday and chose not to drive our car once a week . Even gardening tactics such as throwing wildflower seeds onto a vacant lot can brighten the lives of others – including the lives of birds and insects.

 

Everyday, you can do something to make this world a better place.  During meditation, ask for guidance on what you can do to be of service.  This can be a wonderful way to start your day. Smiling at a stranger who looks down in the dumps or teaching your neighbourhood kids how to whistle will impact someone’s day or even their life.

 

 

Giving of yourself is the best gift that you can give.