In the service of others...

One of my favorite quotes by a man I greatly admire goes like this…

“Serve a cause greater than yourself or you will lead a one-man army.” -- Richard Marcinko

A passage from a book of Scripture reads...“For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?”

All around us are incredible examples of service. Most acts of service are quiet, personal, and never make the headlines. Service from a parent to a child, a sister to a brother, a child to an aging parent or friend to a friend.

Even greater is the service to a stranger, because when we serve someone who we don’t know and with whom we have no relationship, we are no longer serving within the bonds of the relationship, we are serving within the bonds of humanity.

I get a chance to serve every time a patient walks into my office. It is an honor and a sacred trust that I take seriously.

I long for the day when I can serve as a doctor without having to charge for it.

Service uplifts us. It takes us out of ourselves and allows us to serve a cause greater than who we are. When we serve humanity in general, we find a greater sense of connection, a greater sense of identity and a greater sense of whole.

Service doesn’t have to be great or loud or noticed. Service allows the one who serves to forget themselves and to give of their best.

However and wherever you serve, always try to give the very best of yourself, knowing that you are made better by your service as much as the person whom you serve.

Look for opportunities to serve everywhere, and you will be amazed at the possibilities before you...and you will know peace.