"Don't You Have a Good Feeling?"

On my quest for happiness, many of the things I read and watch all the say the same thing. Service is the key to happiness. It is something that I need to do more. Service is a loaded subject in that there are many different avenues I could take it, service in marriage, families, friends, neighbors, fellow church members, coworkers, etc. I realize that that is it. Opportunities to serve are everywhere and in every aspects of our lives, and it is up to ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities. It doesn't always matter how you serve, but always be willing, even if it is a smile. Don H. Staheli said, "I don't want to forget that it doesn't take much personal sacrifice to make people happy, that a little reaching out, and bit of inclusiveness, never hurts and will likely do a lot of good, for us as well as the recipient of our minor benevolence." With my experience with service, I know this to be true. Serving one another has a huge benefit to everyone's emotional well-being.

There were many things I did not love about my work in a clothing store, and many people would ask me, "What is the best part about your job?" I would promptly answer, "The people." Then they would ask with the follow up question, "What is the worst part about your job?" I would promptly answer, "The people." I would not elaborate. Some people would get it, and others would not. People could make or break your day. Still the person with the most responsibility for my day was me. I was my own make it or break it person. If I did my job right and serviced the customers and coworkers to the best of my ability, then I would have a successful happy day. If I ignored my customers, and provide them with no service, then where do you think my day would go? Even the customers coming in with some sort of complaint, if I did my best to help them, then they would have no reason to fight me and leave satisfied. I loved to help these ladies feel good about themselves. It made me happy. Would I have considered every day a "service project?" Of course not, but I did provide a service and put many happy faces on a lot of women. And that made me feel good. Those were the days I loved being at work. I was happy on those days.

I always hear, that the more you serve people, the more you love them. Yes. Serving in church callings, I have always been amazed at how much I come to love the people I helped or taught. I became friends with some of my customers in the store. The more I try to support and help Hubs, the more I love him. I think of Christ. How much love did he have for us before he suffered in the garden and the cross? Now think of how much more he loves us after the fact? How much more do we love Him for His sacrifice?

When people serve you, it is an incredible feeling. You feel loved, valued, and great self-worth and it is an incredible feeling. Don't we want to spread that around?  I told Hubs once, in my great wisdom, that it is a lot easier to serve someone who is also willing to serve. If you want help, then make sure you are helping others. Quid pro quo. Karma. Golden rule. Whatever you want to call it. People watch. They see. If they see you helping, they will be much more willing to help you. And remember it gives you a good feeling. When Hubs and I lived in Wyoming, he helped so many people move. I sadly helped only one, but I tried to serve in other ways. When it came our turn to move, we had friends and neighbors help us with the packing, cleaning, and loading. We could not believe the benevolence of these people, who I know had busy lives of their own. Moving is hard, so Hubs and I are still incredibly grateful for all of those dear people. I also just have to say, sometimes it is easy to believe that we have nothing to share or give, but let me remind you we each have different gifts and talents. And we need to share those things with others. I have no great talent in organizing a pantry, but I can make cake cookies. I never know when cake cookies will come in handy.

YouTube's Mormon Channel has many videos and messages about service. I wish I could share them all. Many of them make me cry. This one is one of my favorites, and I believe it carries many of the messages of service.

I will let you watch and take your own message from it. One lesson that I learned is that you never know a person's situation. Can you imagine what would have happened if the boys took the man's shoes? Instead we got to see his happiness. Because we don't know anyone's situation we must willing to serve and to show kindness. Sometimes that is all that service is is kindness.

I know that service will make you happy. Service is serving God. So get out there and serve! It will give you a "good feeling."

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.