Question of the Month: How Can You Be of Service in Today’s Busy Society?

The above story is famous in Sufism as an example of selfless service. In our modern lives, especially in first-world Western cultures like ours, it is becoming increasingly harder — and exponentially more important — for us to not only find the time to be of service to others but to fight the social programming to “get ahead” as individuals. From a lifetime of reading these teachings and walking the path of Sufism, I can say that these social challenges make it even more obvious for us to move in the direction of spiritual and social fulfillment by creating a society of peace and increased compassion.

While I don’t profess to be at the master stage of Sufism, having served many children and youth in the last 28 years through the work of TKF, I can truly see the benefits of spiritual growth through service.

In the words of the Indian Sage, Rabindranath Tagore, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

I have personally experienced this joy, having served over 1 million children and youth over the last 28 years.

This work has been fulfilling and truly meaningful and, in many ways, has helped me understand why we are placed on our beautiful planet: to be of service! Most of you know my work with TKF and these growing statistics, but I share it again here as a true testament to how this chapter of my life has unequivocally taken my foundational faith as a Sufi to a new height. I am not sharing the accolades of my success, but wanting to communicate from the perspective of the countless hours I have spent working with kids and for kids with no personal gain or expectations – but to truly be there for their betterment.

One of my favorite (and well-shared) quotes from the beloved American philosopher, Albert Schweitzer, says “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

This coming school year, with the Universe’s blessings, TKF services will double over last year. We are amid a “back to school campaign” and even though we have not started the school year, we already have a backlog of 13 new schools wanting our programs in addition to completing a two-year contract to serve another 10 schools in a robust unified school district in San Diego County.

We also have a matching grant from a generous donor which doubles your gifts and will help us recruit staff to meet this robust demand. We are currently very understaffed with the dedicated staff working long hours. Here is the link if you can help us, please do in the name of service to our children and youth.

As a society that is at a turning point in our levels of unity and awareness, acting together and multiplying our impact by magnifying our contributions is one sure way we can be of service to the populations that need support. We witness true change and the depths of compassion when people come together across perceived differences to act as one. This, then, becomes sacred ground!

Please share the work we do at TKF with your network of friends and colleagues to amplify the service that we can do as a community — not only for the kids themselves but for the generations of peacemakers that will be born out of the services and programs we are providing.