Being of Service...Remember Dr. King

Last night my friend Kim and I discussed being of service.  
There are many ways to give back and help others...it took me a while to figure this out.


"Being of service," is a term that came to my attention when I first got sober in 2009.  In AA the term "being of service" refers to being there for another alcoholic, anything from setting up chairs, making coffee, sharing, chairing or being the guest speaker in an AA meeting, making a call to another alcoholic to see how they are doing, these are all ways of "being of service" in the Alcoholic Anonymous world. 


It is pretty amazing stuff, my AA experience, I came in like a baby horse, barley able to stand, a newcomer, no idea what was going on, people reached out "being of service" and helped me daily.  As soon as I got my sober legs and felt better, I began my service to others in the program. 


What I learned from "being of service" in AA is that you help someone, but in return it makes you feel really good, it's helping you too.


Growing up in Beverly Hills, I didn't see very many people in my community being of service to anyone.  Rarely did I hear of someone donating their time to help any cause, my family writes checks, I'm going to assume most people do.  There is nothing wrong with that, personally I need more.  My best friend Carrie and I volunteered for AIDS Project LA in high school. That was the extent of my service to anyone as a teen.


Moving to the East Coast almost 15 years ago, I found people more aware of "issues" and "causes", it's something that I noticed immediately.  Not saying East Coast people care more than West Coast, it's just something I noticed.  People my age (at the time mid 20s) were donating time to things they were passionate about, this was inspiring.


Being a drunk for many years, I was mostly passionate about just that, drinking, I would get involved with causes here and there, my focus was dulling myself with booze. 




Through my first NYC bosses John Schreiber & Chris Wangro I learned that there were ways to incorporate awareness and donation raising for causes into projects we took on.  This made work mean more than producing a concert or giving a guitar to an artist.  Eventually my work allowed me to meld my passions for "causes" into my everyday life.  It made me feel less of someone that only breathed air & had a job, I could make a difference. 


Throughout the years I've volunteered reading to seniors, meals on wheels and other programs.  When I did these things it made me feel good.  


Still drinking was my major priority.


Once I got sober and began doing service in AA, I realized that I wanted to do more with my life.  I had found so much peace within myself through my work in the program and a diligent yoga practice I wanted to share this with others.


Currently I volunteer teaching yoga to senior at a local senior center in Brooklyn.  They are grateful for my teaching, but what they give me is so much bigger, I leave each class elated, almost floating on air.


Still I feel my work here on the planet has only begun.  This year I am planning a few large moves towards dedicating my life to the service of others.  Through my experiences in the last few years, getting sober, getting sick, death of my best friend/dog, I've realized so much about myself and what I have to offer.  Once again, it feels good to give back.


Today on the birthday of Dr King I ask you to take a look at what you have done to be of service to someone (or thing, maybe an animal rescue, go Kimzo!).  It takes a few seconds to smile at someone, picking up a phone to see how your Grandparent is doing, maybe picking up those fliers in the lobby of your building because no one else will...small steps that seem silly, but you'll make a difference in someones life in a positive way.  


It's contagious...