There were a few things that led me to this topic... One is that I'm extremely bored at work again (that situation tends to lend itself to much "thinking" time). Another is that I have an incredibly sweet and thoughtful husband who spends way too much of his time doing acts of selfless service for his little wife. The last is that I found a quote by Gandhi that I thought perfectly described the act of service.
I was lying in bed with my husband last night, talking. He told me that he'd been thinking of ways he could serve me-things he could do for me to make me happier. We talked about all the things he's been trying to do for me and I just sat there thinking "wow, what an awesome husband I have!" Thinking more about all the things he's done for me, I stand in awe. He really does do so much for me. He is always looking out for me and always doing little things to improve my life and our married life. After he said that, I thought "why don't I do that"?
This got me thinking even more (only increasing the headache I have from the previous thought process). I know we've all heard that we should completely lose ourselves in the service of others. I know that I, specifically was told by my Stake President, before I was married, to always think of my spouse first; think of his needs and seek to serve him. He said that if we both will think of the other first, that our needs would always be met and we would always abound in love for one another.
How sad is it that I've only been married for 7 months and had already forgotten this counsel!? How true is it though!? If we will always think of our spouse first and foremost and our spouse does the same, how can we not be happy? This isn't only true for spouses, but for children and friends, too (to a degree). Especially since when you serve others, you learn to love them more, which love leads to more service which leads to more love and so on and so forth.
Basically, my thoughts are that I need to spend less time worrying about myself and more time worrying about what I can do for others. This not only leads to the "warm, fuzzy feeling" of knowing you have made someone's life better, but also to self discovery.
That's why I chose these quotes:
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Mahatma Gandhi
"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdome; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." --Mosiah 2:17
Hopefully we can all remember to serve each other a little more. Think of others a little more. And strive to make life better, one small act of service at a time.
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2 comments:
How true, how true....and how much I have seen this in my own life. Thanks for the reminder that I need to get off my silly computer and serve some more.
good, daysh! Now what's your random act of kindness that I challenged you to do? I've got mine... i'm just still fine tuning it. And what you say about spouses is so dead on. People also think Dr. Laura is way off base, but that's really her mantra... serve your husband and he'll serve you in return. It doesn't mean your docile, subservient, and less than him... it just gets you more loving!
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