April 24

HONESTY MONTH: DAY 24: “Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”― Francis of Assisi

Interesting observation…those who are of service are often those without great resources. The folks I know who live with the greatest resources do very little for others, especially those who are addicts. This is not always the case, but I see so many who have a lot and do little or nothing for others.

I am grateful for the teachings I received early on around here about service. This quote reminds me of why I do it. Along with the great feelings of self-worth and self-esteem I get from helping others and giving away, there is a conviction that it always increases my own receipt of energy.

The flow of energy cannot be dammed up and received at the same time. There is so much fear in hanging onto resources that they seldom serve those who live like that. I do not know happy people who are not of service and giving themselves away.

Service is not about sending a check to some agency, although that can be a type of service too. Service is about giving when it is inconvenient and when it takes a bit of work. Not to be confused with sponsorship or helping new members, because that is more for our own benefit than it ever is for those we sponsor.

I love that I learned these things as a new member. It has kept me doing things that are inconvenient and take away from my selfish and self-centered world for a long time. I love being of service. Every day I work to give away at least 2 or 3 hours of each day for the benefit of someone else. It is a great way to live, and an even better way to die.

Chuck C. talked about “rubbing out” his debt for those things he had taken during his addiction. That is a great way to look at it. He also talked about service in the way he performed his business. That is great too. But I always loved the way he spoke about “doing for God’s kids the things that someone needed to have done.” I don’t just apply this to my work, but mostly to my life. There are so many folks who can use a hand with life. If we are mindful and look around, there are a lot of opportunities to get off our asses and serve. Isn’t that what the Universal Power has given us this Grace to do?