By Rev. Spencer Rouse
Giving service to others is a widely misunderstood concept. Service is not just an act; it is a reflection of who we are. We give service to others for a variety of reasons, but it is the motive behind that service that determines the real effect it has on us and on others.
When we give service, whatever the motive, it usually helps someone. When we give from compulsion, coercion, or desire for recognition, we are depleting ourselves and working against an inner urge to nurture self and not others.
When we give begrudgingly without sincerity or full integrity, the benefit to others is limited (usually to the reward of recognition) and the effect on us will be transitory.
When we give service with joy and a sense of abundance, the beneficial effect spreads far wider than we are aware. In this case, we give from a desire to share with others and there is an overflow of service, money, love, compassion, or simple kindness. It expands and uplifts us. The energy of joy radiates from within us and touches the lives of people who are perhaps unknown to us, affecting them in ways we may never understand.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
—Buddhist Quote
We appreciate the services of those who work with love in churches, charitable organizations, hospices, and other groups that help others. Most of us have benefitted at some time from one of these groups, and many of us have given service ourselves. We recognize the power in a group effort. The potential is for more people to be helped and later extend help to many others through a cascading effect.
Giving service does not have to be hours of time spent or a grand gesture.
Think of the gratitude sent your way the last time you allowed a stranded driver to merge into a long line of traffic. Perhaps an unexpected sincere smile was directed your way when you most needed it, or a compassionate hug helped you feel emotionally supported. People give daily in small ways.
Every time someone feels a moment of happiness from the actions of another, there is a lifting up of energy, and the effects of this are felt by anyone who witnesses it—not just the giver and the receiver.
Here are two ways that you can practice service right now:
Never underestimate the value of a nonjudgmental attitude. People often make assumptions and neglect to fully communicate. Then mistakes happen. It is easy to blame others when things go wrong, but it is more valuable to take a broader perspective and focus on the solution rather than the blame. Think of the difference in the energy when kindness—rather than criticism—is used to find a solution. Being nonjudgmental is a beautiful way of giving service. It demonstrates respect for others, a willingness to look at the role our own perceptions play in a situation, and a higher level of spiritual discernment.
We all have healing energy running through us. It does not take much to summon this energy and mentally direct it for the benefit of others. Others may or may not consciously feel it, but their auras receive it and integrate it. The energy fields of both giver and receiver are expanded, and anyone fortunate to be in the presence of either will also benefit from the uplifting energy.
Developing the Desire to Serve Others
We are not born with the desire to give service to others. As young children, we are naturally self-centered and focused only on ourselves. We are in survival mode, and some adults never completely outgrow this stage. Gradually, most people come to realize that their well-being depends on others to a degree, and we start including the needs of others in our focus. As people mature spiritually, they learn to nurture self first to maintain stability, but they also connect deeply to the souls of other human beings and everything on the planet.
Here’s a great story of how this process can work. There was a woman who had been the victim of some mean-spirited remarks from her sister-in-law, and a huge rift in the family was created as a result. She seethed and could not get past her anger. As she spent time quilting, she kept hearing the hurtful words run through her head. As time went on, she began to focus on making the stitches as perfect as possible and setting the pattern as artistically as she could. The more she strived for pure beauty in her work, the more her attitude shifted. She was caught up in the beauty, and the quilt grew into a gift of love and forgiveness for her sister-in-law. She saw that the woman needed love and understanding, and she was willing to offer a gift from her heart to heal the rift. This is connection to the soul of another human being.
As we mature spiritually, we develop discernment in the wisest way to give service.
Self is not depleted in the process—and the true needs of others are met. We also understand when it is better to hold back and allow others to do for themselves so we do not become inhibitors to their spiritual growth. Respect for others is maintained. Our giving spirit radiates. This is the beginning of how we do our part in the evolution of mankind and the planet.
Rev. Spencer Rouse has been a psychic medium, teacher, counselor, writer and healer for more than 25 years. She recently completed her Level 1 and 2 studies of Acoustic Sound, Color, and Body Movement with Fabien Maman (Father of Vibrational Sound Therapy) at the Tama-do Academy in Malibu, and Switzerland. Spencer teaches “Soul to Soul” classes in Sarasota, FL, which focus on how to tune into the true self through the tools of sound, color, and ancient teachings. She also will be presenting an interactive class focused on color, sound and Chi in relation to healing this winter. For more information visit www.psychicspencer.com, email PsychicSpencer@yahoo.com or call 941-706-1005.