By Lacey Gunter
It doesn't take long perusing the news to feel kind of disgusted with the moral slump in society right now. It would be easy to fall into a mindset of thinking people are selfish and uncaring beings, for the most part.
Granted, there are a lot of people out there who are like that. But, there
are an amazing amount of people out there who are not, people who make a
profound difference in the lives of those around them and who make the world a more beautiful place
one small act at a time.
I have had the pleasure to meet many people like this. Some have been my guardian angels in a time of need. Others have been a shining example or inspiration for the kind of person I want to become. The theme I see in these people is an abiding commitment to help and serve others.
For several years I have had an aspiration to live a life committed to service. Sure, I get the typical opportunities to serve in my neighborhood, church, schools and home. These opportunities are great and I know I am making a difference. Yet, just fulfilling my duties and helping others out when needed feels more like sitting in the passenger seat, when what I really need to do is take the steering wheel and drive toward the kind of person I would like to become.
So, today is just as good of a day as any to start to make a change, and I think I've got some ideas to get me going. Thanks to the example of a friend, I've decided on a realistic, concrete goal to set. Thanks to the example of some strangers, I have realized I need to recruit some friends to share, help and motivate me to accomplish my goal.
My goal is to complete a service marathon, 26 days in a row where I perform at least 1 act of service outside my typical daily activities. If I fail, I will start over again until I have accomplished the goal.
Now, what I need are some friends to help me achieve my goal. That is why I am posting this here. Perhaps one of you feels inspired to join me in my journey. I plan to start on September 15th and would love to hear from you on Facebook. I promise to help and encourage you along the way, too. Together we can make the world a little better place, one small act at a time. And, hopefully, in the process, we will change ourselves the most.
It doesn't take long perusing the news to feel kind of disgusted with the moral slump in society right now. It would be easy to fall into a mindset of thinking people are selfish and uncaring beings, for the most part.
I have had the pleasure to meet many people like this. Some have been my guardian angels in a time of need. Others have been a shining example or inspiration for the kind of person I want to become. The theme I see in these people is an abiding commitment to help and serve others.
For several years I have had an aspiration to live a life committed to service. Sure, I get the typical opportunities to serve in my neighborhood, church, schools and home. These opportunities are great and I know I am making a difference. Yet, just fulfilling my duties and helping others out when needed feels more like sitting in the passenger seat, when what I really need to do is take the steering wheel and drive toward the kind of person I would like to become.
So, today is just as good of a day as any to start to make a change, and I think I've got some ideas to get me going. Thanks to the example of a friend, I've decided on a realistic, concrete goal to set. Thanks to the example of some strangers, I have realized I need to recruit some friends to share, help and motivate me to accomplish my goal.My goal is to complete a service marathon, 26 days in a row where I perform at least 1 act of service outside my typical daily activities. If I fail, I will start over again until I have accomplished the goal.
Now, what I need are some friends to help me achieve my goal. That is why I am posting this here. Perhaps one of you feels inspired to join me in my journey. I plan to start on September 15th and would love to hear from you on Facebook. I promise to help and encourage you along the way, too. Together we can make the world a little better place, one small act at a time. And, hopefully, in the process, we will change ourselves the most.
Um, yikes. I think this is a wonderful idea! I'm just trying to convince myself to have the commitment level to actually do it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt does sound a little scarey, I know. I was a little afraid to even post this because I knew that was me truly committing to it. Luckily for me, though, after I got over that initial fear, now all I feel is excitement. I'm even wishing I had set an earlier start date.
DeleteAnyway, do what feels right to you. =)
As mothers and grandmothers sometimes we fail to realize we are all on a service marathon every day, just doing meals, laundry and daily homework etc. I love the concept. Just don't be too hard on yourself. Accomplish the big things if you can, but remember to count the little acts of service, too.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's not going to be about anything big. It's really the small things that count. And it is the little things that can really make us feel good inside. This is as much about bringing happiness to me as to any one else I might serve.
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