Spiritual Awakening: Serving Yourself So You Can Serve Others!!!
As I sat in my local Starbucks today preparing to write this article I began to think about the spiritual awakening process and how important it is to serve yourself before you can serve others. As I enjoyed my caramel ribbon crunch and a blueberry scone I began to realize that we must nurture ourselves so that we awaken spiritually and set in motion the events that will allow us to help others. In taking action along our spiritual path we set in motion events that will lead to success. I have always believed in service as evidenced by my many years of involvement in charitable causes. In July of 1989 I joined The Coral Springs Jaycees and when they formed The Tamarac Jaycees I became president of The Tamarac Jaycees. I attended many conferences and won many awards through out my time with The Jaycees. In July of 2002 I left the Jaycees to follow a higher calling to serve as A U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in The Philippines. In February 2003 I returned home to Coral Springs and quickly looked up community service opportunities. I decided that I would re-join The Jaycees and also do my part to help those affected by cancer by getting involved in The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. As I began to get re-acclimated to life here in The States and get my health back on track I began to realize how important it was to serve myself so I could serve others.
In making sure I was centered and grounded and making a mind, body, soul connection I was able to understand that when you put yourself first you are able to make a bigger impact on the community. I am not saying be selfish I am saying make sure you are taken care of so you can help others. Through the spiritual awakening process I have learned that it is important to make sure you are in good shape mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually because if you are not you are of no value to yourself or others. It is great to serve others and shine your light bright to see, however to do this you must serve yourself first. If you take care of yourself first and you honor yourself as GOD wants you to prosper you will be given the tools and resources to help others. When you begin to take care of yourself and you then take care of others you will see a shift in your life that allows you to grow personally and professionally. In many cases it can be a simple act like knocking on your neighbors door and seeing if they need anything. I recently went to my local Publix and there were many buy one get one free items so I bought what I needed and then made a bag up for my local church’s food pantry. It was such a good feeling to know that I had food and was able to share my abundance with others who may have gone without if not for the church.
As I was looking for the inspiration for today’s entry a message kept repeating itself to me and then I found this Beatles song, Come Together. It has become an anthem for those who understand that when you work together you accomplish more. The idea that 1+1 = 3 is that you take me with my idea and I take you with your idea and together we come up with another idea. I am often asked JDOGG, why is it you collaborate so much with others and my answer is always because together everyone accomplishes more. It is when you awaken spiritually and understand that every person you come in contact with has something they can offer that is when you have your most success. Instead of writing someone off because they don’t drive a fancy car, or live in an expensive home, or have what you consider to be a lot of money, think what do they know that can help me? It is when we make the conscious effort to look beyond the materialistic possessions and look at the spiritual possession that we achieve an awakening to a higher calling that paves the way for success. Many speak of what they will do while others take action and do it. Many will sit in judgment and miss out on valuable relationships because they are quick to dismiss the other person. It is when you come together and are open to receive and answer your calling that you can make a change in your life and in others.
When was the last time you walked up to someone at a networking event and said Hello, I just wanted to tell you I like your style or Hello, thanks for taking the time to come to this event, tell me a little about yourself. For my friends that I see on a regular basis I will often walk up and say Hello, Give me a hug, I love your way. Making people feel important is a key in coming together. Creating a sense of community by coming together from a position of love and gratitude will enhance your personal and professional life and the lives of others. There is a saying Teamwork Makes The Dream Work, think about it you work together for the common good and everyone involved benefits in someway.