In today’s meeting, that was the topic. I’ve been in hundreds of Service meetings, and they’ve all been basically the same. Today, as we went around the room, each person told of the years they made coffee, opened the doors, brought donuts, and even cleaned ashtrays when meetings were smoking. I, for one, am thankful the ashtrays are gone. From my perspective as someone who has attended meetings for 40 years, I see it as bragging about past accomplishments in the name of helping others. Sure, there would not be a meeting if someone didn’t open the door. The meeting wouldn’t be heavily attended if there were no coffee. And the food is a plus, but many successful people don’t have snacks. My mind wanders, or I start planning what I am going to say, when I hear anyone talk about what they DID in past years. For me, it is all about WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW.

Service starts when I get up in the morning. Do I put on the coffee pot for someone else? If I go to the grocery store before or after the meeting, am I thankful to the person at the register for checking me out and serving me? Do I look for someone who may need assistance? All of these things, even before I go to the meeting, feel good if I take the time to give of myself. We all know about the services performed at the meeting. Wherever service is done, if there is no expectation, a pleasant feeling follows.

I experienced a great example that happened to me many years ago about keeping my service to others to myself. I was at a grocery store and watched an elderly woman pushing an overflowing cart through the parking lot. I only had a small bag to carry. Without thinking, I went over and helped her by pushing her cart to her car and unloading the twenty-odd bags into the trunk and back seat. She offered to pay me, but I said no, it was my duty, and I was grateful for the opportunity to serve. Wouldn’t you know, the feeling of self-respect, with a warm feeling in general, was there, and it lasted for the next week, until I told someone else about what I had done? I knew, from all my readings, that the nice feeling would leave, and while I was bragging about my wonderful service to that elderly lady, it just drifted away. The secret is to keep the secret. Do it and don’t tell. It’s hard to do, but if you want to keep the nice feeling, keep your mouth shut. Telling is bragging.

The harder or more inconvenient it is, the stronger the good feeling. Serving others goes back to biblical times. I know there will be more service meeting topics in the future. I can only try to remind myself and others, “What have I done lately, even today!”

Oh, one more thing. “Cleaning up after yourself is NOT considered service work.”