Today was our weekly meeting with the 4 of us sisters who started Forget the Mix. I look so forward to this meeting every week because it is full of inspiration, love, laughter, and peace. If nothing else comes of this little operation that we are working on it has brought so much joy into my life. I get to hang with my sisters once a week. They are teaching me so much. I would have to say that service doesn’t come naturally for me. I watch each of them and they seem to serve effortlessly in their lives. They truly love others and want to help. I think that is why I have hesitated at the whole process.
Today one of my sisters gave an inspirational message that really touched my soul. She talked about how she never feels like she does enough, she needs to find more things to do to help others. First, she does so much for others. This sister works at a food kitchen, raises 5 kids, is helping her children’s school, is constantly helping neighbors and friends, helps out with church activities (usually running them), helps with refugees in her area, and put together the website for Forget The Mix and so much more. I don’t know how she does it all and keeps her household running. I feel overwhelmed every time she tells me what her day is like. All my sisters are similar in their lifestyles, yet they would drop everything to help those around them. They are so encouraging and elevating to me each week we meet.
This particular sister continued to say that she started to realize that her thinking was wrong. She found this quote by Thomas Kinkade that really helped. It says, “Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve other by using them.” Her next words touched my life and hopefully will help me as I serve. She said, “I realized I need to find things I enjoy and do them to help others.” She started giving examples of people who serve others all the time, but may not realize they are doing a service, an artist, doctor, nurse, coach, garbage man, and mailperson. Even though some of these people get paid, they are still providing us great service. As we were all talking, things started popping into my head of things I enjoyed doing the last week that would be considered service and some of it was service to me.
A few weeks ago I was able to cook Thanksgiving dinner for 15 people. I had my girls at my side helping the entire time and it was heavenly. We laughed, talked, and played some games while things cooked. It was enjoyable, it didn’t really seem like service. I also love to shovel snow (I don’t know why; it takes my mind off problems and is great exercise). As I was driving to my house I saw an older lady, who we don’t get to see often, starting to shovel her driveway. I ran home, got my shovel and started helping her. I had a great conversation with her and felt so fulfilled afterwards. I hope it was good for both of us.
I also really love my nieces and nephews and love to send the ones who have phones little messages occasionally. I had done that this week. I hope they know I love them and am there if they ever need anything. One of my goals this year was to learn more about quilting. I have a good friend who is teaching me. I am grateful for her service to me. She is using her talents to bless my life. It was also my mothers-in-law’s birthday this week. One of my sister-in-law’s talents is putting on an amazing party and it blessed all our lives. We got to connect with family members we haven’t seen in a long time. My mother-in-law spends many days alone, so I know that this was a huge blessing in her life.
I have loved looking around and seeing how others use their talents to serve and support each other. Each of us needs to quit being so hard on ourselves. We all have talents, and we can use them to assist others. Remember to find things that bring you joy, then figure out how to use that talent to enrich others lives. Service then turns from something we felt like we had to do, to something we love doing. Let’s Serve.
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