One of the great secrets of service is that when we lose ourselves in serving others we FIND ourselves. But what does it mean to FIND YOURSELF? Finding yourself means you add a new dimension to your life. When we serve others we create new connections, new memories, and have new experiences. This bundle of benefits then become a new part of who YOU are forever. You are affected. You become a new person. You find yourself. Let me share a story.
One of the great secrets of service is that when we lose ourselves in serving others we FIND ourselves. But what does it mean to FIND YOURSELF? Finding yourself means you add a new dimension to your life. When we serve others we create new connections, new memories, and have new experiences. This bundle of benefits then become a new part of who YOU are forever. You are affected. You become a new person. You find yourself.
Let me share a story. During a recent club visit to Baker City, Oregon, I had the opportunity of spending some time with Ken Krohn, President of the Baker City Club. After the club meeting, Ken took me around town and showed me some of the wonderful projects with which their club is involved. (This was an act of service by Ken to me, an act of kindness from which we both benefited but I digress). The story continues. Baker City is full of wonderful service projects each proudly displaying the Rotary wheel. Ken took me to Geyser Pullman Park in downtown Baker City. At the entrance to the park is happy blue bike rack welcoming bike riders of all ages to this favorite community gathering place. Next to it there is a bronze plaque dedicated to Weston Daniel Gibbons. The plaque was carefully and professionally installed by a Rotarian who although he attends club meetings less frequently he always responds when called upon to serve.
The bike rack and plaque are both dedicated to seven-year-old Weston who was tragically killed in a sledding accident in McCall last year. Weston’s parents are not Rotarians, however they are members of the tight-knit community of Baker City. Weston’s death was a community loss. So Baker Rotarians rallied around this family and dedicated this memorial and bike rack to his memory. On the day of the dedication a large group of friends and family gathered at the appointed spot and with glad but tearful hearts, they accepted this wonderful gesture of service.
Now how do you think the Gibbons family feels toward the Baker City Rotary Club? Do you think this added a new dimension to their lives? How about the unnamed Rotarian who carefully smoothed out the wooden post and securely but painstakingly mounted the bronze plaque securely nearby? Do you think he grew from that experience? And how about me? When Ken told me this story while standing next to this plaque, my heart was touched. I saw for myself that it was all about Weston. Ken and Baker club members who put this project together, forgot about themselves and served someone else. As a result you can count how many people ‘found themselves’, made connections and were touched by this wonderful, simple project.
I challenge Rotarians everywhere to say YES when you are asked to serve. Forget about yourself and your busy schedule and all the worries and cares that you personally have bearing down on you. Go and serve. In doing so you will FIND yourself.
