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Daily Question, January 10

How can I be of service today?

  • Becca

    Today I can be of service by offering my brightness and my love to all I meet. I hope to find the inner strength to bless all I see and leave the day feeling nourished and that I’ve nourished others.

  • Lauren Zalewski

    I can continue to be a source of positivity to my FB group “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain.” We are a group of people whose bodies just don’t work the way they’re supposed to, and rather than live in the problem, we choose to live in the solution. This is sometimes easier than done, however, so I will show and share my own gratitude in the hopes of passing it on to the membership. They have done the same for me many, many times.

    Have a beautiful day, everyone!

  • Springerlady

    I am a day late looking at this question but am so inspired by the responses… such simple acts of loving kindness and presence to people in your lives….. a beautiful way to serve.

    • grateful sea

      Hello, Springerlady, I agree… very inspiring all the responses. I often come in at the ‘tail-end’ of these questions. More wagging that way 🙂

  • elizabeth ward

    The day for me is two thirds over. 4.30 pm, so what have I done? I have been shopping at the supermarket with my shopping assistant, who called for me at 11 am It is midsummer and very hot, so I offered her a glass of cool water. She was grateful for that. We drove to the supermarket and found a parking place near the entrance and were grateful for that and the cool air conditioned interior of the supermarket, all of this was pure gift without any effort on our part. We were soon back at my sma...

    The day for me is two thirds over. 4.30 pm, so what have I done? I have been shopping at the supermarket with my shopping assistant, who called for me at 11 am It is midsummer and very hot, so I offered her a glass of cool water. She was grateful for that. We drove to the supermarket and found a parking place near the entrance and were grateful for that and the cool air conditioned interior of the supermarket, all of this was pure gift without any effort on our part. We were soon back at my small flat, my helper drove off to enjoy an hour’s free time and I put away the shopping. prepared my midday meal, ate it and had a rest. I am now here wondering how I was of service. The answer lies somewhere in the interconnectedness of all people.

    Read More
    • grateful sea

      Elizabeth, I love the way you say “the answer lies somewhere in the interconnectedness of all people..” Even on days when we don’t feel we are ‘doing’ much, we might be of service just by our way of being. Your reflection helps me imagine that I might BE in essence ‘a glass of cool water’ to someone who needs it. Without even realizing. Thank you.

  • R

    Today I can be of service by making my house a place of warmth and love to myself, my spouse and my little kids.

  • Michael

    I am grateful my profession is my vocation n it is serving students n families. I am working to extend the reach of my services

  • Javier Visionquest

    Today I served as “Traffic Jesus”. Blessed are the place-makers, the cavitators, for they hold space and create the lane change gaps that facilitate for those who feel their hurry is more important than those of everyone else.

  • Equanimity1970

    I can make dinner for my husband and stepchildren. I struggle with chronic migraines and feel often like I don’t do enough, but being able to do this small thing makes a big difference in their lives. I read this in the morning and focused my energy on completing this task.

  • Hot Sauce

    Today, I can be of service by informing myself through books and so coming to deeper understandings of how I ought to live in the world, doing my best during track practice today, and kindly smiling and saying hello to anyone I meet.

  • Eva Liu

    I think being in a good mood is one way of being in service. I mean this as really actively, seeking the positive in myself so that I can share it with those I come across whether on the street or in my practice or with loved ones.

  • Swami Padmanabha

    Interestingly, in Sanskrit language the word “servant” is written kinkara. And this word is further divided into two parts, kim & kara, the first part meaning “what” and the second “do”. In other words, “what to do?”, “what can I do?” or even more precisely, “how can I serve?”. That´s the inner spirit and disposition of any real student/disciple and in one sense, that´s the only question we have to make to God and his bonafide agents.

  • John Turner

    One thing I think a lot of us forget to do: listen. Not just hear, but actively LISTEN.

    • Francine Marie Tolf

      You are so right, John. Listening is a great gift. It’s sacred, and one writer whose name escapes me said that listening is the beginning of the spiritual.

      • John Turner

        I know Mother Teresa once said that “listening is the beginning of prayer.” Regardless, it’s a great gift indeed! <3

  • Cintia

    Being available, observing, respecting and not judging.

  • Aine

    I can listen. I can write. And I can keep working on my own healing journey. We do not always think of that as service to others, but the more healed we are, the fuller the well from which we will be able to draw to help others as the need presents.

    • Kevin

      Amen and hallelujah, Aine!

    • elizabeth ward

      Thanks Aine. Your answer is a great help to me, and has given me a lot of confidence.

    • Erich617

      This is something that I have been learning recently, and it is quite challenging to accept and practice.

      I am very lucky to have generally had a pretty comfortable existence thus far–no major setbacks or obstacles–and not had to provide intensive care to another, but people do rely on me for support in a variety of ways. I have found that, the more whole I am–the more contented and at peace–the more I am able to be present for them.

  • KC

    I can practice rooting, connecting and listening from a deeper place, and choosing a response from there. When/ as I lose that connection, I can practice awareness and returning…

  • Brittany

    I am making eye contact and smiling at as many people as I can. Trying my best to let people know, "I see you. You matter. You are loved." So many people avoid eye contact. In The Book Of Joy which I am reading for the first time now, the writer Douglas Abrams reflects on loneliness-how we can be alone and feel content but so often be surrounded and feel utterly alone. He reflects, "I wondered if the averted eyes of my childhood, waiting for the elevator or in the subway, were perhaps the shame...

    I am making eye contact and smiling at as many people as I can. Trying my best to let people know, “I see you. You matter. You are loved.” So many people avoid eye contact. In The Book Of Joy which I am reading for the first time now, the writer Douglas Abrams reflects on loneliness-how we can be alone and feel content but so often be surrounded and feel utterly alone. He reflects, “I wondered if the averted eyes of my childhood, waiting for the elevator or in the subway, were perhaps the shame of being physically close and emotionally distant.” I will be or service by engaging in connection.

    Read More
    • Aine

      The connection between shame and averted eyes is deep ground for thought, Brittany, as it seems many, if not , most people seem to look down, away, at something else, etc. when encountering strangers. It takes an act of consciousness to start doing that differently. That may be more powerful than we know since looking at someone with kindness is a way of saying, “I see you, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of!”

  • kathleen

    I can be aware of judgements and clinging and expectations and assumptions and set an intention to listen and to be open to the moment and what I am called to do.

  • Jeff

    I don’t know yet.. but the need will present itself if we’re open to serving and pay attention. We can be of service only where there is need. Otherwise it’s not service but egoic striving.

    • Anna

      Your point of view is very interesting. While the time is passing, and I am aging, I realize this is true, so true. So, maybe I did some mistakes when I was younger. But now I am really happier, and- most of all- more peaceful. Blessing to you.

  • Michael

    By being kind, seeing the good in others.

  • Ose

    To listen with an open heart to everyone I encounter, so that the other feels really heard, understood and welcomed and to cultivate this as a general inner state, it could be radiated even to absent people . To embrace the moment as good as possible, setting aside any concepts and see what arises to help solving and serving.

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