Sunday, June 10, 2012

SERVICE IS AUTHENTIC JOY



I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy.

---  (Rabindranath Tagore )


Some people think service means getting in there and getting your hands dirty big time. Well, it's a yes and a no. Yes as some wealthy benefactors personalities or celebrities do with such a show of philanthropy or having so much drama in its execution.... banners waving, drums rolling, cameras flashing, media exposure.

No because service can also be just where you are, who you are, and what you have. Simple ordinary things which often are considered insignificant. It can mean a simple kind word... or a cold glass of water to the peddler passing by your house selling his wares... or a helping an old lady pick up parcels which fell from her grasp... or a sympathetic listening ear to a friend's tales of woe... or just being compassionate to the struggles of others trying to make it in the big tough world out there.... or helping an old man cross the street... or help your neighbor take his sick baby to the hospital in the middle of the night... etc.

Small acts of kindness, sympathy, compassion, care, affection, understanding... these things matter. Maybe not much to a world which is more inclined to recognize big effort, big ideas, big thoughts, and everything else grand and grander.  But if you in your heart know that you're doing the right thing.... doing your teeny weeny best to help ease somebody else's burden  ------ then you are up on the list of God's favorite people. Because to a watching God -- small is big. 

And the reward is authentic JOY in the heart. A joy so blessed a hundredfold by a very pleased God. And he'll bless you with even more. Of that I'm sure.

Wish you bountiful blessings of joy to your weekend.


13 comments:

  1. yes, one can do service all the time and anywhere..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Renu! You are so right.... service anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Thank you for dropping by and for your comment. Blessings to you and your loved ones.

      Delete
  2. Ahhhhhh, so good! LOVE that quote, it really puts things in perspective. This is wisdom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, love that quote too - it's on my favorites list. :-) So nice to see you, Deb. Thanks for taking time off your book to drop by. Soooo appreciate it. :-) Blessings to you and yours.

      Delete
  3. Ellen,

    You are absolutely right that one can do something good to others without much of an effort. Small things do matter and one has to have an attitude of being helpful as well as polite. I would rather ask the old man " May I, Sir?" before I help him to cross the street so as not to hurt his pride of being treated as unable to take care of himself. And the lesser said of those who make a big show of their so called acts of helping others better it is.

    Take care

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lovely to see you, Jack. I like what you said ... 'one can do something good to others without much of an effort..' That's so true. And that tiny effort makes a world of difference to the recipient of such goodness.

      Take care too and bless you.

      Delete
  4. Just read your post, It is surely a nice way to start the week. The joy we get we are of help to others is immense, joy in the heart is inexplicable.
    Have a great week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Krupaa! :-) And seeing you here starts up my Monday on a fine note. Hope that you have a good pleasant day to start the week with. Blessings to you and your loved ones.

      Delete
  5. That is an excellent annotation to the quote.
    I liked your lines at the end "And the reward is authentic JOY in the heart. A joy so blessed a hundredfold by a very pleased God."
    Yes,it is authentic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi KP! Hope your day is doing just fine... as mine is over here. :-) Thanks for your lovely visit. Blessings to you and your family.

      Delete
  6. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this blog. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WELCOME to the blog! Those are very kind words, thank you very much. Bless you!

      Delete

:-) Here's where I warmly welcome you and where you leave your footprints behind with fond memories attached to it of wonderful chats and friendships. Thank you for your comments. Or send your comments to ellen622@gmail.com. Will be seeing you in your blog too. God bless you!