“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
Today was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States. Fifty years ago, Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize. Peace was on the minds of many today, as the United States (like many countries in this hemisphere, including Jamaica) struggles with the problem of crime and violence. But I want to focus on Dr. King’s strong emphasis on service to others – something that might just be an important component in fostering peace. The focus of the U.S. holiday now is “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” In other words, to recognize the day not by sleeping in, watching TV on the couch or hanging out with friends – all pleasant occupations, of course. The idea is to honor Dr. King through service to one’s community of fellow human beings. To quote the U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service: “The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.”
The Beloved Community. I am very fond of that phrase.
On Saturday, I joined a group of young Jamaicans (they call themselves The Positive Organization) who are volunteering their time at the state-run National Children’s Home, tucked away down an extremely bumpy road near the beautiful Hope Gardens in Kingston. It’s a lovely spot, with the green hills almost close enough to touch, away from noise and traffic. When we arrived, a young man was having a one-on-one music lesson (the bass guitar). He was so absorbed in his lesson he did not even notice us. I learnt later that this was part of a program organized by the Joy of Youth (JOY) Foundation (founded by Lady Hall in 2011) to include music lessons for the wards of state at the home. Brilliant!
We had an exciting “getting to know you” session with the children (who were also, of course, interested in the lollipops we brought). At times it was rowdy and bordering on the chaotic. But after a while we settled down together. Two engineering students sat down with one of the older girls, who was struggling with her Math at high school. I had a reading session with one of the girls; she said reading made her feel “comfortable.” One of the young volunteers who is a sportsman started up some energetic activities outside. The group will be going back at least once a month, with the intention to mentor some of the children, help them with their school work – whatever their needs are.
I had prepared something to say to the volunteers. For what it is worth, here it is:
“President Barack Obama once said: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
What is volunteerism? What is it not?
Volunteering is simply about serving others. The word “service” is very important. It’s not an easy thing, actually. Volunteering is hard work, partly because you are giving something of yourself. Sometimes you might have to dig deep to find it. It’s a process. It is something that happens between you and others – those whom you are serving, and those who are serving alongside you. It is not self-satisfaction. It is about interaction. If you cannot achieve this sense of oneness (at least a part of the time) then your act of volunteerism will be meaningless.
It also involves sacrifice. You give of your time and your energy. And sometimes you are doing things that you might not feel comfortable doing. Things you have never imagined yourself doing. People may even judge you and criticize you for what you are doing. But you must do it anyway.
What is it not? Volunteering is not about doing things to make you feel good about yourself. It’s not about patting yourself on the back. It’s not about self-promotion, having your photo taken. Be very careful about this, and very aware.
Don’t leap into volunteering with the feeling that you are going to change the world. Don’t expect admiration, or applause, or praises heaped on you – not from the people you are helping, not from others looking on. Don’t expect instant gratification, either. It doesn’t work that way.
What you will know, deep in your heart is that every small act of volunteerism – a hug, a handshake, a helping hand – is a drop, a whisper of that hope that President Obama speaks about. Every smile, every handshake counts. Do it without any expectation of reward. Do it for humanity, and do it out of love.
You will be amazed to find that the more you volunteer, the more of that love you will feel, inside. It grows and grows! You will be so overwhelmed with that love that every act of volunteerism will return to you 100 times over. That is what I mean by ‘interaction.’
And I believe that this love will bring peace – to others, and within your heart.”
Mahatma Gandhi was a tremendous influence on Dr. Martin Luther King. He once said: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” In other words, stop speechifying, stop discussing and get up and do something! (What about all those people who were sitting at the National Prayer Breakfast in an air-conditioned hotel going out and working on a hands-on social project for the morning -instead of sitting, eating and listening to sermons/speeches? They could take their breakfast with them…)
Service means action. So if you want to make just one New Year’s resolution (if you believe in such things!) I would suggest: Do something for others this year. And if possible, make a habit of it. I don’t know of anyone who has ever regretted it.
And when you do get up and do something… Why not step out of your comfort zone?
Gandhi also said: “We do not need to proselytize either by our speech or by our writing. We can only do so really with our lives. Let our lives be open books for all to study.”
Petchary's Blog 
You’re an inspiration Emma!
I hope when my children are grown to do as much as you do for others 🙂 Bless you and your wonderful words!
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Thanks, Naomi, but I don’t want it to be about me. It’s about the people we serve. I am sure your children will grow up to be loving and kind people, because they have an amazing mother like you to guide them! All the best…
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Reblogged this on Spirit In Action and commented:
This is beautiful! Thank you for posting it. When we return our societies to being rooted in our Love for one another and all living beings instead of our fear of lack, or need/desire for money then peace will come about as naturally as we breathe in after breathing out.
For now I am unable to get out anywhere and volunteer but I look forward to a time when I will again be able to do so. I love reading about how many people are taking such positive steps toward creating a better world for all. Thank you for all that you do-the light ripples out into the world colliding with others shining to create amazing rainbows around us all:-)
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Thank you so much for the reblog! As you have expressed in your own blog so often, love is at the heart of it all, I believe – whatever activity you may be engaged in, and with whom. And we can never have enough light and rainbows in the world! Thank you again for your inspiration in your writings too!
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