Service Before Self

Scenario:  You’ve got five minutes remaining until your shift ends.  You’ve been looking forward to getting off work all day when, seemingly out of nowhere, a customer shows up who presents a unique problem that has to be taken care of right away.  You know you can address the problem and possess the expertise to easily take care of it, but it’s going to take thirty minutes more of your time to do it. 

Scenario:  Your buddy is pinned down by small arms fire.  The only way he can break free is if you put yourself in a vulnerable position to provide covering fire.  Bullets are flying everywhere and the area is getting hotter by the second.  You must act now if you expect to have any hope of saving his life. 

Scenario:  A deadline has been set for the completion of a task that is two weeks away.  There’s plenty of time built in to accomplish all the necessary work to meet or exceed expectations.  You have knowledge that will enhance the quality of the report but are significantly distracted by other obligations.  You can be proactive or reactive…the choice is yours.

Each of these scenarios presents unique perspectives that capture the essence of service before self.  Each requires a decision that pits self-interest against the answer to a higher call of service. 

All too often we hear messages that, although well-intentioned, distort the honor and benefits of service.  The messages speak well of self-discovery and offer motivating clichés to carving out a success path in life by keeping our eyes on our dreams and aspirations.  But they often fall short of revealing the full spectrum of instructions that adequately articulate the rewards of service.

The opportunity for service can present itself at any time under most any circumstance, as indicated by the diversity of the examples above.  The opportunity doesn’t always present itself in crisis.  Sometimes, it’s just a simple opportunity to serve.  Habitat for Humanity or the Red Cross blood donation comes to mind.  The complexity arises when we fail to remove our own self-interests from the equation and allow it to distort the opportunity to serve.  Doing so may cause us to miss the opportunity altogether.  And that’s unfortunate. 

The bottom line is this – when the opportunity to serve presents itself, we have one of two choices: to serve or not to serve.  Either choice brings with it an appropriate affect.  To serve is typically the honorable choice because, (and here’s the twist) out of sacrifice comes the richness of our decision.  You see, even the smallest gesture of service is richly rewarded in at least the knowledge that your actions enhance, preserve, or provide for the needs of someone else at the pause of your own needs and desires. 

Unselfish service has a way of finding favor with those who provide it.  The epitome of such service, in my humble opinion, is the Medal of Honor citation.  Those who have received it will be the first to tell you about how “others” are the real heroes deserving the recognition.  And perhaps there’s an underlying truth to that sentiment.  But it’s their unselfish act of service that garners the true recognition it so rightfully deserves.  Those who put service before self seldom seek recognition.  They act because it’s the right thing to do…plain and simple.  Whatever their motivation to act, Medal of Honor recipients stood tall at the hour of greatest need and said, “Pick me, I’ll do it.” 

But you don’t have to be a Medal of Honor recipient to step forward and in the interest of service before self.  Look for an opportunity to serve and, as the Nike slogan encourages, “Just Do It!” Put someone else first and your rewards will pay dividends far beyond your imagination.  After all, the highest form of recognition lies within.  It lies in knowing you contributed to enhancing the value or quality to someone’s life they otherwise would not have, if not for your unselfish service. 

Service before self can also be penned in a slightly different way: “Unselfish service!”  The sooner you take “me” out of the equation and replace it with “we” your entire perspective changes for the betterment of those around you, and I would argue, mankind.  Let’s face it, we live in a “me-centered” society where gratification has become the yardstick by which we measure our actions.  Whether you know it or not, your decisions affect the lives of someone.  Whether you choose to act (and serve) or whether you choose not to. 

This nation was founded on principles of service.  We look out for each other.  Its part of what made us the great nation we are today.  Are you doing your part?  Who have you helped recently?  Your church or civic organization always has a need for service providers.  You’re not expected to do it all...just what you can.  Collectively, we can all make a difference by placing service before self! 

Until next time!

- G -

"Unselfish service is the cornerstone of human compassion." - G. Westfal - 

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Author

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column.  You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative.  And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.

Please visit my Introspection bog at: http://gwestfal.blogspot.com/ 

Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com

If you enjoyed this article, you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...