They are blind to the meaning we derive

Being of service is one of our prime opportunities for making meaning, and therefore, experiencing fulfillment.

But what we don’t realize it, service is quite the selfish act. It’s something that we perform for our own benefit.

Like happy hour at my old office. Drinking isn’t my thing, but making guacamole is. And for me, that act of preparing food for my peers is a small expression of service. It’s one of many ways for me to experience a deep feeling of usefulness the people closest to me.

The act of cooking fires joy into my veins, checks the meaning making box and contributes to my overall sense of fulfillment. Doesn’t get more selfish than that.

And so, this is how the economy of generosity works.

Anytime we make an investment of service into something other than our ego, everybody wins.

Anytime we add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, then dividends are paid out.

But there is one part about the service exchange that is quite surprising.

Some people are blind to the meaning we derive from serving them.

Some people might even will grow suspicious of our benevolent behavior as it unfolds.

What’s your angle? Why are you being so nice to me?

Well, because it feels good, that’s why. Serving others is the best natural high in the world. And the only side effect is, we get the desire to do it more.

But some people may never realize that. And that’s okay.

It’s not our job to make people understand us, it’s our job to serve them.

To give love freely and often.

Sweetland famously wrote that we cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.

Sounds like a win win to me.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What is your unique plan of service which yields joy for you and others?