Be of service. This is a phrase I have heard, considered, and thought about many times. As you may have as well.

In general it’s always conjured the idea of volunteering, and certainly it can mean that, but it can be thousands of other manifestations as well. In the last couple of weeks I’ve had the realization that “being of service” is less about what you are doing and more about your intention while you are doing it.

If I intend to be of service, giving a compliment can be service.

If I intend to be of service, my job, that I am being financially compensated for, is still my service to the world, that day, that minute, that moment.

We intend for this blog site as a whole, with all its quirkiness, sarcasm and silliness to also be of service. Our form of “service” is that we want you to know that you are not the only one who feels confused, lost, afraid, screwed up or overwhelmed sometimes. And it’s OK to laugh about it even if it’s only so you don’t cry.

I came to this place of knowing thanks to my neighbor/friend who recently has come through brain surgery. She is re-learning her life as she deals with balance issues and her brain settles into figuring out the new way it receives messages from her environment.

In order to get through it she is being pushed through a door that insists on patience, mindfulness and perseverance.

And she’s invited me to be part of that with her. There are days that “all we do is stretch” and yet that can have the effect of making her feel like herself. And in a body that is often not going the way she wants, literally, that is amazing.

Sometimes she just needs to talk it out, or talk it through, and I do my best to be able to facilitate that.

Much of her independence right now has been dramatically restricted and so my intent with our sessions is to be of service.

I am willing to let that take any form necessary. Whether that means our 30-minute session takes 60 because she really needs to move more slowly or she just needs to vent. I just made the commitment that I am willing to do that.

I think it’s clear that I am not an awesome business woman and may never make the kind of money I dream of. However, it’s possible I am learning that part of being an awesome person is the desire to be subject to one another, to serve one another, to believe we are all in this together.

This is also coming to terms with the understanding that sometimes you have to choose between making meaning and making money. Not always.. often you can have both. BUT if I have to choose …

In Service,

G