Service Above Self

Posted by William Duke 
on Aug 01, 2011
 
Everyone I know complains about something.  We shake our heads and even occasionally shed a tear over tragedy and injustice.  I know a lot of people who think the world is a wonderful place.  But I don't know anyone who thinks it's a perfect place.
 
How do you think it could be better?  What is your vision?  Can you see yourself giving food to hungry children?  Do you see a well in a village saving lives from dysentery?  Do you see a school with children and books; education in full swing.  Do you see a bright mind offered a path into college?  Do you see a playground for local children?  Do you see meals delivered to seniors in need?
 
Take a moment.  Right now.  Ask yourself:  "What was the last thing that really moved me?"  Close your eyes and see it.

Now ask yourself: "What am I doing about it?  What am I waiting for?"  

Does your answer reflect the person you want to be?
  • "I'm too busy."  Remember your vision from a moment ago.  What things in your life could be set aside in deference to that vision?  What would it feel like to make that difference?  Can you set aside some things that don't make you feel like that?
  • "I'm too busy with family activities."  Ask yourself: "Is my family living in the world I want them to live in?"  Or, "What example do I have the opportunity to set?"  And even better, "Could I do this with my family?"  What kind of shared experience could that be?
  • "It's too hard."  What is the greatest thing you've done in your life so far?  Was it easy?  Do you want to top it?
  • "I don't know how."  What if you did know how?  What would that look like?
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so?

Now is the time to create your vision.  Now is the time to make the world a better place.

Rotary is a terrific machine.  Rotary can take one person's passion and multiply it by the number of members in a committee, club, a district, zone, or even a world.  But it can do nothing without you.

If not you, then who?  If not now, then when?