12. Service
May 4th, 2008 by Bruce M
Empowerment gives birth to responsibility; this responsibility is to serve. We need to serve where we find ourselves; wherever we are. You don’t need to identify with service, or speak of it. Better just to guide, love and care. Silence is a great aid in service; the more you are able to listen, the greater help you can be–energy escapes when you talk. And when you have achieved serenity, you will benefit others by your presence. When your inner noise is silenced, you will have a quick, clear perspective on all human situations; you will be able to reach out effectively in generosity and compassion.–Andrew DaPassano
Defined as:…
1 a: the occupation or function of serving b: employment as a servant… 2 a: the work performed by one that serves… b: help, use, benefit… c: contribution to the welfare of others… d: disposal for use… 3 a: a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony b: a meeting for worship -often used in plural… 4: the act of serving: as a: a helpful act b: useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity -usually used in plural c: serve… 5: a set of articles for a particular use… 6: a. an administrative division (as of a government or business) b: one of a nation’s military forces (as the army or navy)… 7: a facility supplying some public demand b: a facility providing maintenance and repair… 8: the materials (as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope… 9: the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law… 10: the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal… 11: a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty…
One of the first things I heard when I got clean was, “You cannot keep it, unless you give it away, …but you cannot give away something you do not have”. My history was filled with taking from others, and now it was time to give back what was freely given to me.
Today, I am amazed at the amount of love that I feel from my loyalty to service. Sharing my experience and knowledge that I have gained is one of the most rewarding acts I have encountered in my life. The support I developed told me that if I looked hard at the people who stayed clean for many years,… the one thing they have in common with each other is, that they all do some sort of service work. Those of us who avoid service commitments risk losing focus and staying clean. Displaying the love and unity for my fellows, takes me out of my self centeredness and enriches my soul. I become so grateful, at times to have the opportunity to be of service to others. The payoff has been a pure, exciting, and rewarding life, that lifts my spirit, and takes me to that outstanding state of peace, serenity and personal freedom. I no longer have to live with the baggage of my past. Being free takes me out of selfishness, and puts me right into selfless service. So, I ask, who benefit’s the most from the service I give? A big part of my job is to use my vehicle to transport clients to various appointments, and tasks for their needs. At times I need to take my vehicle in to be serviced and maintained. When my vehicle is in proper working order my clients get the service I provide. The real benefit is that I get be responsible in doing my job so that I can be of maximum service to my client. When I was new to recovery I was told that I would be loved until I could learn to love myself. Because of that loving service it has become my goal to be a loyal beneficiary, and to contribute to the service of others to the best of my ability…
Love and Respect, Bruce M.
