FW: DailyOM: Solace in Service - Doing For Others 12/23/10

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December

23, 2010

Solace in Service

Doing

for Others

Many times the best way to get

out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other people in loving

service.

When we

feel bad, often our first instinct is to isolate ourselves and focus on what's

upsetting us. Sometimes we really do need some downtime, but many times the

best way to get out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other

people. In being of service to others, paradoxically, we often find answers to

our own questions and solutions to our own problems. We also end up feeling

more connected to the people around us, as well as empowered by the experience

of helping someone.

When we reach out to people we can help, we confirm that we are not alone in

our own need for support and inspiration, and we also remind ourselves that we

are powerful and capable in certain ways. Even as our own problems or moods get

the better of us sometimes, there is always someone else who can use our

particular gifts and energy to help them out. They, in turn, remind us that we

are not the only people in the world with difficulties or issues. We all

struggle with the problems of life, and we all feel overwhelmed from time to

time, but we can almost always find solace in service.

In the most ideal situation, the person we are helping sheds light on our own

dilemma, sometimes with a direct piece of advice, and sometimes without saying

anything at all. Sometimes just the act of getting our minds out of the

obsessive mode of trying to figure out what to do about our own life does the

trick. Many great inventors and artists have found that the inspiration they

need to get to the next level in their work comes not when they're working but

when they're walking around the block or doing dishes. We do ourselves and

everyone else a great service when we take a break from our sorrows and extend

ourselves to someone in need.