Service to Others is Service to Self

” Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” – Muhammad Ali. Serving others doesn’t just help the people we’re supporting, it often enriches our own lives in powerful ways. Just think of how much support you have received from people like your grandparents, parents, and close personal friendships and it is easy to see how you can repay that by making a commitment to be in service of other people in your life. Here are just a few of the benefits: 1. Happiness and fulfillment. Acts of service stimulate the release of fee-good brain chemicals like dopamine which boost mood and create a lasting sense of purpose in your life. 2. Stronger relationships. Helping others builds trust, empathy and connection, expanding your social circle and deepening existing bonds. 3. Improved health. Studies show that people who volunteer or regularly serve others have lower rates of depression and even some chronic illnesses. 4. Sense of meaning. Being part of something bigger than yourself provides a deeper reason to get up each day. We all have something special to share with others. There is always someone in more need than us. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” Luke 12:48 If you look around, you will see countless examples of people giving to others, paying it forward and making the world just a little better. A better world ultimately benefits everyone, including us. “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person that is nearest to you”. – Mother Teresa