Service as an Act of Love
ODAT November 8, 2012 – Service as an act of love
Quoted from Page 313 in “Courage to Change“
“Just for today. . . I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count.” What a terrific exercise! It helps me to break free of the habit of doing kind or generous things in order to get something back. Only when I perform a loving act with no expectations will I reap the true reward of giving.
I am learning that giving doesn’t have to take away form me or anyone else – if there are no strings attached, everyone stands to benefit. Every good and loving gesture soothes my soul and contributes to a healthier world. These anonymous, positive actions are the building blocks of a flourishing spiritual well-being. My Self-Esteem grows because I can feel good about my actions. I am engaged in worthwhile pursuits.
Today’s Reminder
Today I will put unconditional love into action. When I give freely, without expecting anything in return, I always receive more than I give.
Quote
“I was created in love. For that reason nothing can express my beauty nor liberate my except love alone.“
Mechtild of Magdeburg
Insight
Where to start? I read an article one time about the differences of cultures experienced by a sailor named Bob Bitchin’, and since I can’t find the original podcast clip (since the organization went dormant) the one point that captured my memory was a story of a culture where the individual’s were focused on outdoing each other in kindness. The worth and sense of self was generated from acts of goodness, not in acts of dominance and acquisition like our society.
Maybe we’re not as advanced and culturally superior as we all think here in the First World. While we have material comfort, the other rots of a wealthy or affluent society are starting to show through. Like a pear that sat on the table, looking perfect for too long, the rot finally breaks out to the surface and when you go to pick up the pear, you realize that is’ rotten through the core.
I start to feel our society is like that pear, shiny on the outside, but rotten through the core, and maybe one way we can start to fix it is to try doing like the reading says: Do one true act of kindness out of love, and endeavor to do so without being noticed or acknowledged outright.
Ok, I’m done with my soapbox, I’ll step down now. Take care of yourself out there, and remember, to change the world, you must start with yourself, one good deed.
Sincerely, Duke