At this age a common and recurring idea is uttered from the lips of my peers. When asked what they plan to do in the near future, they rebuttal with a reply of “I’m going to try to find myself, figure out things.” Before I continue on, I want to stress that I am in no criticizing that answer, but I do have to say that the flaw lies within the plan to actually do. What if I told you there is a sure way to reach that level of knowing, being aware of direction you want to take and having the surety of its outcome to a degree of taking your life towards its pursuits? Well good news, there is an answer. Service to others. It’s as quick and simple as that. While the tasks may be far from easy, the plan and reason to do so is more straightforward and obvious than most anything in life. Like the famous words of leader and inspiration, Mahatma Ghandi, the greatest way in which to find ourselves, I believe fully, is to become completely lost in the service of those around us, both near and far. Being lost in that way will guide us towards never being lost again. Gandhi put it as follows, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
In a desire to serve, ideas and strength can be drawn from many avenues. In my personal case I draw from individuals and from my faith. A great teacher in this field was Gordon B. Hinckley, a prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. In his words, “…I testify that as each of you reach out to help others, you will find your true selves and bless greatly the world in which you live.” If you are doubting your significance, if you are overwhelmed in an effort to find purpose, or if any factor of life is giving you a feeling of depreciation, then take those words said by Gordon B. Hinckley directly to heart. Each and every person has an ability to change a world and The World. I say it like that because of this thought; Our actions and what we do affect more than us. In the most cliché and accurate comparison, our choices are like a pebble being thrown into water. While the pebble may seem small, especially compared to the body of water, it will create ripples that will spread and touch an area that the pebble will never truly realize. That is what our decisions do, each and every one. A choice to take that day where you could have slept a few extra hours and instead go help someone. Not for pay or any reward, but for the sake of helping a fellow human being. In that action alone, you may have not changed the entire world, though the capability is in all of us, it did change their world.
This potential and this responsibility is something that is truly amazing to me. My one choice, my decision, it can make all the difference. So can yours, and so can every single person’s. It is at this junction in our path of life, the point where who we are is beginning to truly emerge, that we can be directed to a life of happiness, satisfaction, and love because of our efforts to bring those things into the lives of those around us. The lives we will change and make a difference in will work true miracles in our own. The world we are in is falling to selfishness. Day after day the news is reporting another attack, murder, or countless acts of evil. Just like good choices, these terrible and horrific choices being made can also be a pebble on the water. Those waves are wanting to over power and engulf the waves of good and charity. But it will only do so if we allow. If we allow names like Martin Luther King jr, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa, or Jesus Christ to be forgotten then evil has won. We have lost ourselves. But, if we always strive to remember and follow them, then not only will the world change in a direction of positivity we will also know ourselves better than ever imaginable.
Right now, I challenge you. Regardless of who you are, seek out to do something for someone else. Not because of what you can gain, but what their life can gain from you. What difference and change you can make in their world. By this action, it will create a domino effect. It will cause a feeling of peace, excitement, and joy simultaneously. As you do it once, it will create a desire to do it again, and again, and again. It is at this point that you will find who you are and who you want to be. It is at this point you will be able to grasp and visualize your own potential to change the world, and to change for the sake of good and others. This is a gift each of us hold and it is within us. With it comes the responsibility to exercise it and strengthen it. Then the the fruit of our labors will begin to ripen and come to their sweet nature for our pleasure and all those around us. Put first those in need, and your needs will be taken care of.
There is no set point as to where to begin, big or small it is all important and needed. Pursue it and you will find happiness unlike ever before. Pursue helping others and you will feel a strength unlike ever before. Pursue the well-being of those around you before your own and you will feel a love unlike any before. It all starts with you; will you take the first step into this unknown? Yes, and you will take it knowing that you will find your way easier than you could ever imagine. It’s time to claim this still amazing world in the name of good and happiness. We can be an army that fights without weapons, that does not chose to conquer land, but simply wants to bring aid and happiness to others. And we can.
