What's All This Fuss About Service?

What's all this fuss I hear about Service lately? I mean, who cares, really?

Perhaps that's the real question: Who cares? Do you care?

Having read so many cynical comments to various articles in the HuffPo about service last week, I was reminded of Gilda Radner's old Saturday Night Live routines where she played Emily Litella, the somewhat muddled news commentator opposite Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin.

Amongst many classics, she said: "What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a "deaf" penalty? It's terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is!" When corrected that the word was "death penalty," she would come back with a wonderful apology that usually went like this: "Oh, that's very different. Never mind."

Perhaps the cynical have the same understanding issue that Emily had. Perhaps they hear the call to Service from Barack Obama and ask: "What's all this fuss I hear about Serve Us lately? Shouldn't the government be taking care of us instead?"

May I suggest that this is very different? Indeed, the focus on Service brings home an old challenge in social change that was perhaps never more true than it is now: "if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem."

With so many complaints emanating from anonymous cynics on these pages and across the 'net, perhaps it would be worthwhile to take a look at what it is that we actually care about and what response-ability we have to that which we care about.

I understand that Barack Obama will emphasize responsibility in his inaugural speech on Tuesday. Having no idea where he will take the idea, I'm hopeful that the theme will include the notion that each of us is response-able, meaning that each of us has the ability to respond.

My assumption is that most cynical posts come from people who care and they exercise their response-ability as criticism. The challenge is how to translate the caring into something more meaningful than criticism and complaint. As my spiritual teacher told me one day as I launched into yet another criticism, "it is much easier to criticize than it is to create."

(For more context on the relationship between caring and complaining, you might find an older post relevant where we show that complaining is a sign of a preferred future about which you are willing to do nothing, other than complain.)

So how about Obama's emphasis on Service these days? What's that about? Is it about somehow trying to transfer the response-ability for serious social issues from the government to individuals? Is it about trying to get people to work for free?

To me, Barack Obama is working hard to get us to wake up to the fact that if we care, we must act on that caring, and that Service is one magnificent way to take action.

What Can You Do?

There have been many posts suggesting ways to get involved in projects large and small, ranging from cleaning up a local park, to visiting the elderly in nursing homes and hospitals, to helping out in a homeless shelter or food bank. Certainly these are good and honorable endeavors; however, for some, these are giant steps that appear daunting in one way or another. Finding some micro steps might be good.

If you care, and would like to Serve, but are unsure how, consider this idea for a moment.

According to www.dictionary.com, Service means to be helpful or useful or an act of helpful activity.

So, what do you care about? How could you be helpful? Is there some issue confronting you, your family, your community, or the planet that you care about? If so, is there some microscopic step you can take that by itself could be seen as meaningless, yet if enough people engaged similarly, might make a difference?

Take the environment as an example: How could you Serve the environment? It could be as simple as becoming slightly more conscious as you walk somewhere today. Do you ever "step over the trash" you see on the sidewalk? How about picking up that discarded can, paper, or coffee cup and dropping it in the trash bin?

What difference could that possibly make? Not much I suppose and yet if you did that, and I did that, and so on, we might notice a small bit of difference in the amount of litter and environmental clutter we encounter each day.

Service doesn't have to be a huge event, requiring enormous dedication and resolve. That's fine if you are there already; if not, how about finding some small step you can take that you would find meaningful? Even if no one else notices?

You might even consider something as small as how you might Serve your own family or friends. Could you spend a bit more quality time with your son or daughter? Is there someone down the hall or across the street who has suffered a loss (job, family member, etc) for whom a caring visit would be welcome?

My spiritual teacher reframed an old cliché that seems particularly useful now: "It's not give until it hurts; it's give until it helps.

Interested in helping out today? Click here for a list of ideas...

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You can find out more about Russell Bishop at http://www.lessonsinthekeyoflife.com. Contact Russell at: [e-mail]
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The author of Lessons in the Key of Life, Russell is an Educational Psychologist, professional life coach and management consultant, based in Santa Barbara California.

Comments

[Jamil Zaki - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Russell --

Thanks for your comment on my post! I am glad to see there's a kind of Zeitgeist surrounding Obama's call for service. It's important to recognize that this is something we are capable of fulfilling (and maybe even instinctually driven to do).

Best,

jz

[Russell Bishop - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you to the Living reader community. I am honored to read the many positive, uplifting comments here this week. Indeed, as we look to transform the Living page into something of increasing substance and value in the area of awareness, choice and responsibility, we are hopeful that we can engage you, our readers, in an ever more comprehensive and forward looking dialogue. Each of has a role to play in the changes that will lift and improve the well being of all. Give from your overflow and give until it helps. Blessings to you and keep the dialogue moving.

[pickwickianmom]

My family is trying to decide what we are going to do. We have busy lives, but I was shamed by Obama painting on the day before his inauguration. If he can do that, we can certainly do more.

Obama being elected has really changed us. We feel like we aren't invisible anymore and that we can make a difference.

[CR46]

I was raised by parents who thought that "service" in your community helped make you a good citizen, friend and neighbor. I have done many community service things and "time" over the years and have found that there is a joy to giving. My parents were right!!! LOL !!!

[dadw5boys]

When you learn that giving does not include judgement then you understand that your gift no matter how little will effect someone down the road in a good way.

Being released from judging how your gift of service is used or received frees your soul and connects you with the world on a different level.

[Rawkcuf]

When you work to improve something, you come to love it.
Bettering ones city helps one to love where one lives-- what an excellent way to find happiness!

[Erdgeist]

We can look on "service" as the condition of being the servant of some higher purpose. Probably in the sense Obama is using the term it means the condition of being a servant to the task of making a "more perfect union" and all that this endeavor entails.

[Russell Bishop - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Erdgeist:

Thanks for your comment - perfect perception from my point of view. Indeed, if each of us could turn our focus to a higher purpose, imagine the change we could create and the beauty we could bring to the world. Thanks again for your comments.

[hotmom]

amen!

[judiNJ]

My husband and I had a wonderful time today volunteering at a grade school in Jersey City painting murals. There were 250 other volunteers coming from miles around and it was great fun. I have always had a good time doing volunteer work - once in a military hospital outside Madrid, once in Logan Airport in Boston as a Traveler's Aid worker and many times helping to clean up here and there. Nothing wrong with pitching in and it is fun as well as good for the soul. You also meet some great folks and make some wonderful friends (a few boyfriends along the way, too).

[checkitout]

Thanks for your inspirational blog. Some of us have to work today, but cheer you all on until we can participate too. Kudos to you all.

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Russell,

I'm not sure what to say to the cynics. But I can say this: I snuck in some time this morning to volunteer at an elementary school in a rougher part of Seattle. There was a mess that needed to be cleaned up, and a number of us, strangers until this morning, got to it. Yes, you can say that it was a hassle to creep away from work, and pitch in. However, what I got in return, was deeply satisfying. I began to think about the children in all our schools, and what they need to help them honor their own Voice, their own Light, their own contribution? How can we empower our young if we do not provide an atmosphere which is clean, uplifting, and beautiful? With the deepest suffering, there is a need for natural beauty. The truth is that it was an honor to be involved.

One more thing: it is clear to me that if we are going to turn our situation around as a country, and world. we must pitch in on a regular basis, not as a one time event. I encourage all your readers to join in. The return on the investment is too big to calculate.

Much appreciation your way, Russ, for all your years of non-stop serving,
Cara Barker

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Russell, your words are heartfelt.

I love your spiritual teachers message: "It's not give until it hurts; it's give until it helps.

Your commitment to serving is refreshing and inspiring,

The future is Bright,

Ed

[KarBear]

Thank you for pointing out the "pink elephant" on the wall.
I have to say, I have been shocked this weekend how many friends and neighbors of mine had no idea about the "Call to Service" today, nor had any intention of acknowledging it. These are bright, engaged, caring citizens who somehow did not get the message.

I sat my kids down an hour ago in front of CNN to watch Dr. King deliver his famous speech. We had a long talk about it. I cried to hear the lilting words, and the kids were actually riveted.
Now we are taking cans from the pantry to the food bank and cooking dinner for a family friend who needs a boost.
Simple. Not rocket science. I have little patience for "what's in it for me" either.
Thanks, Russel.

[lewes17266]

KarBear, Your children are lucky to have a parent like you. I hope your friend sees better days soon.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautiful article, Russell. Thank you. I can never hear these messages too often. It is not just America that can benefit from this wake up call, but also those of us not presently living in America.

I have often thought it would be great to have Thanksgiving celebrated globally. I would love that Service is celebrated globally, and not just for one day. The world would benefit so much.

Anything is possible in this remarkable human community of ours!

Blessings to you,
Anne

[lewes17266]

We are supposed to do our good deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. We are not supposed to seek favors, attention, or praise.

Isn't it ironic how so many Christians preach about giving in order to receive a blessing?

[ArthurTwoShedsJackson]

AMEN, pun intended. :-) Good post.

[forpeace]

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lewes17266
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Well said and Amen!

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[Gumby123]

It also interesting to note is that Christian organizations are quick to lend a hand when dire circumstances arise.

[lewes17266]

Gumby123, I was referring to the preachers whose message is prosperity. They are outright swindlers. I should have said that instead of using the word "Christians." Thank you and I agree with you that local churches do so much good. I think our famous millionaire preachers have done great harm to the face of Christianity with their hatefulness and greedmongering and wrong teaching.