Productively serving others


What activities make you feel the best?  I am happy when I can be productive in a way that serves others.      That poses a challenge for me these days.  When I worked as an educator, I truly felt that I was making a difference each day. These days, I have to be creative in order to achieve that same level of helping. 

When looking for ways to fill a day, I have always found that the most rewarding tasks were those that supported others.  Some of my favorite jobs were those that allowed me to teach others a skill that they could then use to improve their own work.  Even hobbies seem more fun when they result in some form of assistance.  In fact, I think that our purpose in life is to do things for others.  

What about you?  What do you do on a daily basis that supports or helps others? Does your work allow you to do so? Or perhaps you have hobbies or creative outlets that provide this outcome.  If you are reading this with skepticism, consider the times you have felt most connected to others through work or hobbies.  What strengthened those connections?  What activities do you find most energizing and exciting to do for or with others? Do you agree with my supposition that our purpose is to do for others?  How do you attempt to fulfill this purpose? If you think our purpose is something different, what do you think it is and do you feel that you’re achieving it?

These are heavy thoughts and questions.  I know that they are not easily addressed.  In fact, I struggle daily with my own need to feel useful to others.  “Retirement” is hard!  At least it is for me.  Thank goodness I like to bake.  That’s one way I can do something for those around me.  Everyone is happy to have freshly baked bread and other goodies on a regular basis.  Plus, it feels good eating bread that isn’t full of chemical preservatives.  So, that’s one way I try to serve others.  Hopefully, you each have your own ways.  Even if you find meaning in life in other ways, it sure does feel good to do something nice that others enjoy. 

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