How far that little candle throws its beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
William Shakespeare
On my recent trip to London, I went to one of the most innovative book launches I have ever attended. It featured a clotted cream tea. Clotted cream is not for the faint of heart, or those hoping to lose weight. Nor were the cakes that accompanied it. Moreover, this super rich cream was served with delicious blackcurrant jam (jelly) on warm, freshly made scones (biscuits).
The event included a workshop, Q&A and book signing -- all donated, apart from the price of the book, if you chose to buy it. What a wonderful gift of giving it was.
The book at the centre of all of this attention is the new one by Drs John-Roger and Paul Kaye: Serving & Giving Gateways To Higher Consciousness, available from 1st November.
In the workshop, we were invited to explore and discuss how we could be of greater service to ourselves and others. We were introduced to 10 second stillnesses. This simplest of techniques brought the room of 175 of us into such a peaceful quality, we could have been out in nature, by a quiet lake, or up a mountain or in the depths of a forest -- not in the centre of a bustling city.
Try for yourself now. Let go of your reading. Close your eyes for 10 seconds and take in a deep breath. Drop your shoulders. Allow yourself a moment of peace. You can do this at any time: by the computer, in a line of traffic, waiting for your child to come out of school. I have found it works like magic. Taken frequently, 10 second stillnesses can bring a calm to your whole day. What a great way to serve yourself!
If we do more with less,
our resources will be adequate to take care of everybody.
Buckminster Fuller
The book has many gems. The reader is encouraged to read it not from cover to cover but to put it down from time to time, and go serve. Serving can be as simple to do as breathing in and breathing out. It could be picking up the phone to someone who may be alone; offering a word of encouragement to a person who is struggling; taking the time to prepare a nurturing meal for your partner.
We are designed for giving. When we do so, our lives come into a certain order, even and especially when things seem so chaotic and uncertain. A serving frame of mind will respond when asked. For example, yesterday a woman came up to me outside a public toilet, asking me if I had toilet paper -- there was none. I do not usually carry it around, but I had a pack of tissues.
Man discovers his own wealth when God comes to ask gifts of him
Rabindranath Tagore
You may protest. With all of the demands currently in your life, and the stresses you are already experiencing, how on earth can you be expected to go out and serve others? Isn't life difficult enough already without being expected to go and do more for others?
It is when times are most difficult that we really need to take better care of ourselves. But the emotions of fear and doubt cause us to forget common sense. We need wisdom. But wisdom does not come from pressing the panic button and going unconscious.
To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.
Mother Theresa
With serving well comes awareness -- recognizing the need to recharge your batteries when they run down, and to know when they are run down in the first place. Look what would happen if you breathed out the whole time. Fortunately, our bodies have a way of breathing in automatically. So too with serving: we need balance.
The headings alone for the section of the book: Serving and Giving to the Self inspires self-caring: To your own self be true; Be good to yourself!; Taking time for yourself; Serving yourself; Why is it such fun to give?; Learn to receive; The gift of receiving; Taking care of ourselves versus indulging ourselves; Giving is such a selfish thing; Server, heal thyself; Have fun and rejoice in it.
The core of Serving & Giving is love, or more accurately loving and caring. It is the frequency of love that lifts us above our troubles and woes, and more than that, finds a way through them, and more than that, places us in a position to live the lives of our heartfelt dreams. We are each of us born with a wealth of love to express: gifts, talents, natural attributes.
When all seems hopeless, the energy of love will find a way forward. Serving and giving awakens more of our love. At this time, can we afford not to be giving and serving?
Every day use your magic to be of service to others.
Marcia Weider
How has serving (yourself or others) benefitted you? Who most inspires you by their acts of giving and serving? If you could better serve yourself, what would you be doing?
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What a beautiful post. Thank you! Yes, indeed, I have found with myself and others that it is during times of crisis when self-nurturing can be more challenging although it can e argued that it is even more important.
I do find myself taking those ten second breaks often, particularly in my car, even during stops at traffic lights (as long as I remain aware of what is going on around me).
Light and love,
Jason
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
"It is when times are most difficult that we really need to take better care of ourselves. But the emotions of fear and doubt cause us to forget common sense. We need wisdom. But wisdom does not come from pressing the panic button and going unconscious."
Boyo - was that ever timely!
Here's my take-away:
Over the years I've become a multi-tasker, out of necessity. At this point in life, I'm not sure that "skill" has been healthy. I habitually shallow-breathe, my shoulders are too often up to my ears. I'm reactive. Then in crisis I rush to action and lose my options. A recent post (was it you?) called it 'losing your vote'.
At times my thoughts linger over the days of my childhood on a working farm, milking cows and waiting for the yellow cream to rise, then skimming it off - what a flavor! Home made jam on home made scones (my mother's family's ways).
So I'm using that image for my 10-second time-outs for a while . . .
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comment. I am so happy to hear that this post was timely for you.
I know there just are times when multi-tasking is the way to move forward, even when you know it is less than an ideal way to be living.
Enjoy those 10 second time-outs - who knows what they may let in to bring you greater ease and peacefulness as you move through your day!
Blessings of peace and joy to you!
Anne
I am never in a bustling city, nor am i up a mountain, i am Awareness only, all the contents of Awareness never ever ever take me away from peace and stillness and compassion and generosity unless i give away my power, unless i abandon the throne of mind so to speak. This is reason that stillness works anywhere, because you ARE peace and stillness, no matter what the apperances show, that is not you, that is only your experience, and the more you identify with who you are and the less you identify with "what is happening" then the easier it is to manifest your actual nature, which is generosity and kindness and love, rather than our egoic mask of selfishness. Acts of service are of great benefit for all involved because they promote the true nature of reality and help dissolve the fake world created by egos fear and need to control.
You always have some wonderful wisdom to impart - thank you! I cannot add to anything you say here - other than: Amen! Or another way I say it is: the blessings already are.
Acts of service I have found awaken me to more of that peace and stillness.
I appreciate your presence here once again.
With warmest good wishes and love to you
Anne
Inspirational words of eloquent writers make some feel good.
I often ask how these philosophers, observers of the plight of others contributed to
uplift others in a real sense.
Did that ever go out there a touch the life of others in the real world in real time? I wonder.
My question is how, a hug, a laugh, a smile, a kind word, a compliment can go much
farther and last longer than a dollar, and is therefore far more valuable.
I suppose when there is spare food to give your neighbour...you do not see life in the way
your neighbours do!
Thank you very much for your comment. I too wonder about some of the questions you are raising. Sometimes, a kind word or a voice of encouragement can assist a person take their next step.
Whether it is your dollars or a warm smile, however we are moved to give with the intention to serve others, the blessing goes not only to the receiver, but also to the giver. The connections we make through our giving serve to bring us together as a greater human community.
I appreciate your thoughts here.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
Your reminder of English scones and clotted cream reminded me of high tea in Dartmout, Devon where I received my English citjzenship.
Giving and service is really the essence of life. Fevrything in life is about service.
The apple tree gives it's apples and if you shake the tree you get more apples. The apple tree keeps giving more and more apples and never eats it's own apples. If you throw a rock at the apple tree you get more apples. If you throw a rock at a person you know what you will get.
Humans are the only ones that eat their own fruit but we need to learn to give and serve more.
The Dalai Lama is my inspiration.
Ed
It is so true what you say about everything in life being about service. The most successful companies are those that offer real service. The most successful people too.
Serving and giving is about enlightened self-interest. Selfless serving is a great way to get on in life, no matter the crises or challenges we are meeting.
Thank you for taking the time to visit here - I know things are busy for you right now!
With love and blessings,
Anne
I adored the dellcious yumminess of your post..and longed for a good scone with some clotted cream. Thank you so much for highlighting Serving & Giving Gateways To Higher Consciousness it is one of my favorite reads of 2009!
Bless You,
Eli
Yes, Serving & Giving Gateways To Higher Consciousness is such a good book. I am delighted you enjoyed the virtual cream tea... !
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
From the first to the very last word, your piece was delicious. Loved the description of the tea, (O.K., I had to swallow hard with the 'clots',) but, then there was the jam, etc. What a marvelous way to open my Sunday.
Know that I will be on the order list for J.R.'s book. It sounds timely. In fact, I paused numerous times in reading your blog to practice the suggestions. There is simply nothing so restorative as the breathing in/breathing out stillness, is there?
I want to thank your for the subject, Anne, and your way of inviting us into it. Personally, I find it a great affirmation. I've been pregnant for a long time with a little service project, that will begin, (God willing) before the holidays, with an interactive blog. When the time comes, I'd love to share it with you.
Meanwhile, I'm sending you much gratitude, joy, and Sisterhood,
Cara
It is always such a treat to have you come by here! Thank you for your kind words. You are one who lives and demonstrates service in so many ways.
Yes, the simple breathing in/breathing out is remarkable. You have to do it to find out!
I am looking forward to hearing about your service project - it sounds very intriguing. Please keep me posted.
Love, blessings and appreciation to you for a very wonderful week ahead,
Anne
It is always so lovely to hear from you! I love what you say about us being creatures of habit, and then improving upon the habits. This says so much to me. Making improvements does not have to be difficult or overwhelming. The simple and small things make a big difference.
Thank you for showing up and sharing your wise words.
Best blessings to you,
Anne
Many thanks for this beautiful, powerful piece of writing. Can't wait to read this book! I love the 10 seconds of stillness. Anybody can do that. A small thing, but what a great way to stay connected to spirit!
I consider that every moment is an opportunity to be in service. A smile, a warm hello, an acknowledgment of someone. It doesn't have to be an earth-shattering event. Just show up for life and say "yes" to the moment.
Your excitement and passion for this subject come through loud and clear. Keep it coming......
Love and blessings,
Judith
Always a joy to see you here - thank you so much for your kind words.
I love what you say about "Just show up for life and say "yes" to the moment." Your love and encouragement are a joy to me and very much appreciated.
My excitement and passion... yes! You spotted it. In a world where we are being constantly reminded about shortcomings and shortfalls etc, I love to see arrows of light, pointing our way forward. The simple little things that make a big difference. These are the blessings.
With huge love and glorious blessings to you!
Anne
Dr John Roger and Paul Kaye gave us so many examples of what true service is all about. At the end they spent time with each guest over 175 people as they signed their books.
I am reminded of this quote 'God notes the fall of the tiniest sparrow'.
A small act of kindness goes a long way.
Thanks Anne for this article
Love nathalie
Thank you for your comment - and your enthusiasm for organizing this wonderful event. There were many small acts of kindness I noticed on that afternoon which I think made it very special.
I think we may have a ways to go yet before we fully discover what an amazing and extraordinary world we are living in.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
The truth is, a hug, a laugh, a smile, a kind word, a compliment can go much farther and last longer than a dollar, and is therefore far more valuable.
Thank you very much for your comment. As you say acts of service can be really simple and give so much. I think it has to do with being open and willing to give as called upon. We have more opportunities each day than we could ever count.
Serving and giving can be a natural way of being that promote our health and wellness as an "unseen" benefit.
I appreciate your thoughts.
With love to you,
Anne
Thanks so much! I hope they take such a delicious and fun book tour to the States!
Have a great weekend
Fondly,
Kari
So good to see you here! Yes, this book is an excellent holiday gift.
This is the site for Cornish clotted cream: http://www.roddas.co.uk/roddas.html I wonder if they export to the US. Forget about your waistline!
Enjoy a wonderful Sunday and thank you so much for your comment.
Blessings to you,
Anne
And it's also precisely in times such as ours that the Buckminster Fuller quote ceases to sound paradoxical, but instead 'merely' rings true.
It always starts with the tiny things. No doubt meditation would help a lot, but even the practice of conscious breathing breaks ground. And from your post today I was reminded of a particular gem: 'drop your shoulders!' I highly recommend that to everyone facing a flatscreen many ours a day.
I'm not kidding at all: I am very firmly convinced that we should make sure we exhaust those tiny measures ... because seeing how much they effect will by itself give us hope, simply because it makes us realize how little is set into stone about the future, and how much results from our collective decisions. A species populating flatscreens should certainly realize its nature as being creatures of habit every once in a while. And then improve upon the habits.