April 2 – The Power of Service: A Uniquely Human Strength

“Service is the rent you pay for having a room on the earth.” Shirley Chisholm

Service, the act of helping others without expecting anything in return, is a fundamental human value that transcends cultures and backgrounds. It's about putting the needs of others before our own and using our talents and abilities to make a positive impact. As Robert Lawrence Smith so eloquently states in A Quaker Book of Wisdom, "Service, like nonviolence, blends idealism and pragmatism. Giving of ourselves to help others benefits both the recipient and the giver." Service isn't about blind obedience or menial tasks; it's a conscious choice to contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.

While AI and machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there's one crucial aspect of service that remains uniquely human – empathy. We can program a robot to perform a task with flawless efficiency, but it won't understand the emotional needs or motivations behind the request. In Life Part Two, David Chernikoff captures this beautifully when he says, "The basic inclination to care about one another and to serve those in need... is part of our evolutionary inheritance as human beings." This inherent desire to connect and make a positive impact fuels our capacity for service.

Service isn't just about external acts of kindness; it's a journey of self-discovery. As Desmond Tutu reminds us in The Book of Joy, "Ultimately, our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others. It's how we are made. We're wired to be compassionate. We are wired to be caring for the other and generous to one another." By serving others, we cultivate empathy, compassion, and a sense of purpose. This, in turn, strengthens our connection to the world around us, as Chernikoff observes, "The more we serve others in this way, the more we come to embody loving awareness and gain insight into the nondual nature of ultimate reality." We begin to see ourselves as part of a larger web, where the well-being of one is inextricably linked to the well-being of all.

“All I can do is be the best me that I can. And live life with some gusto. Giving back is a big part of that.” Michelle Obama

Service is a powerful tool for personal growth and societal change. It allows us to use our skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether it's volunteering at a local soup kitchen, mentoring a young person, or simply offering a helping hand to a neighbor, service strengthens communities and fosters a culture of care. As Chernikoff so aptly states, "I've come to see this service ethic in a wide range of people. I deeply honor and appreciate our innate desire to be of benefit to others. I see this yearning as being rooted in our recognition that we're all part of an interdependent web in which the healing of any one part supports the healing of the whole."

Incorporating service into your life doesn't require grand gestures. Start small: listen actively when someone needs a shoulder to lean on, offer help with a task, or donate to a cause you care about. You'll be surprised at the profound impact these acts can have on both yourself and the world around you.

Activity: Make a list of your strengths and talents. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

Think about causes you care about. What issues in your community or the world are important to you?

Research volunteer opportunities that combine your skills and passions with the needs of your community. Look for websites like Idealist.org or VolunteerMatch.org.

In today's increasingly digital world, it's easy to lose sight of what makes us human. The constant bombardment of screens and social media can distract us from cultivating essential qualities like kindness, empathy, and resilience.

My book, Nurturing Hopeful Resilience,  guides parents and caregivers through the challenges of raising children in a technology-driven age. It explores the importance of instilling strong values in children from a young age to help them develop into compassionate, responsible, and fulfilled individuals.

Through a series of practical exercises and insightful reflections, this book delves into fourteen core values: curiosity, awareness, kindness, learning, self-awareness, fairness, playfulness, compassion, service, belonging, trustworthiness, authenticity, community, and responsibility. Understanding and nurturing these values can empower our children to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

This book offers a roadmap for raising children who are academically successful, emotionally intelligent, socially adept, and morally grounded. It encourages readers to prioritize human connection, empathy, and compassion over material possessions and fleeting digital distractions. By embracing the power of values, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.