I had dinner with my dad the other night. We haven't had some quality one on one time in a while so it was nice to just go out with him and catch up and talk. Although, I am at that age where people question whether he's my sugar daddy so I make sure I address him loudly as Dad. Not daddy because that could be taken in the wrong way..believe me. When my dad and I get together it's always good conversation, wine, and laughter. He's a funny guy and I really enjoy him as a person (although it took me what seems like a lifetime to get to this point with him.)
When we get together we talk about a lot of things but one thing we talked about last night was service. When I was younger and even during college, and a little after, I thought (sadly) that all I wanted to do was work in some skyscraper, wear cute business clothes, and make a lot of money. But now my thoughts have changed drastically. For me at least, if I'm not doing something that is helping, or giving back I feel that I'm wasting my time. I have the need to be a part of something larger than myself. I want to do something important, or at least feel that I'm participating in making someones lives better. I don't want to make money for a corporation or sell people things they don't need.
There are different types of service. What usually comes to mind for me when I think of service, is the military. Blame my upbringing, but when I think service I picture men and women in uniform. Yet there are other ways to serve. My sister serves God and her community by working with youth at Va Beach and being an example of a solid Christian, and teaching them about the Word. My mom has served by all her countless volunteering, her leadership roles in the Church, and by taking care of her family. Megan serves others by helping them with their rehabilitation. She makes it so they can function with their daily activities, even what we would think as simple as getting dressed in the morning. She impacts people's lives on a daily basis.
I find my current job rewarding because I know at the end of each day I'm helping a family during their grieving period of losing someone gain some type of closure.
Maybe my goals are too high, and my dreams too lofty but I think that if you're spending 8+ hours a day doing something it should be something you're excited to get out of bed for. It should be something that makes a difference and impacts someone or something for the greater good.
Man I sound like a hippie.
What are your thoughts on service?
I love it. I am an occupational therapist and I help people "engage in activities that give meaning to their life".. which includes anythin gfrom dressing, grooming, bathing, to paid work, cooking, leisure activies, etc. I think that every person is capable of "serving" others and like you said it can be in very different ways. But I believe that we must find what that is for each of us. I know I am one of few who wake up every morning happy to go to work, I have the opportunity to impact at least 8 patients lives, if not more. Once you know you are making an impact, you just feel satisfied and couldn't imagine any other job or career!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, just so you know, you impact my life every day by making me smile and listening to me. So don't forget it :)
I think that's a good point. You should be doing something valuable with your time. But, I think you have to realize that the things that impact people aren't always the big things, but the small ones. Some people are supposed to be tidal waves and others are supposed to be tiny trickles, but that doesn't mean one is less important than the other. Make a difference and serve. Just don't let it consume you so much that you forget the people you're serving. <3
ReplyDeleteI love you guys for commenting...you both impact my life
ReplyDelete