Hi Everyone!
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone, and Happy New Year!!!! Hope you are all finding the right balance of time spent with loved ones and runs to escape them! Ha. Seriously though it is weird being thrown off your routine, and hopefully you’re all finding some recharging or fresh perspectives through it.
Looking ahead to a new year brings the energy of “fresh starts” and lots of eager motivation for new goals and self-improvement. I’ve been thinking about this – how we’re bombarded with messages on how to “improve” ourselves: become more consistent in the gym, sleep more, drink less alcohol, eat more mindfully, read more, spend less time on our phones, meditate, drink more water, keep a decluttered house, keep a journal, be more productive, … All of these things seem to have the goal of improving our outward performances. We will look better! Run faster! Have more energy! Get more promotions and accolades in the workplace! I mean, who doesn’t want all these things, but it sometimes occurs to me that these are all messages and resolutions for self-aggrandizement. Yes, we are wired to pursue and achieve, but allow me to suggest another resolution worth taking a look at: unheralded and unrequited service. I’m not sure why this appeals to me right now. Maybe because it’s the anti-thesis of the constant messages of self-improvement and doesn’t move us towards our personal goals at all. However, service to others is a cornerstone of a well-functioning society. It is something that we do for the act itself – for what it brings to someone else instead of what it brings to us.
Service usually takes the form of volunteering in some way (there are many races which always need volunteers among other great organizations), but it could also just be giving time and attention to people in your life (elderly relatives) – who really need time and attention. It could be spending an afternoon cleaning up a public space. Or a morning making and delivering sandwiches to hungry people. The point is, these things don’t move us forward in any way, or make us faster or smarter or stronger. In fact, they’re a bit the opposite because they take time away from spending time on ourselves.And that is the idea. They are not about us at all. And yet somehow, when doing things that take us away from ourselves, can be when we actually feel the best about ourselves.
So sure – pursue running goals and health goals and work objectives– these things are all very rewarding and keep us going and flowing. But let’s not strive for everything at the expense of ever using our very valuable and precious time to serve others. People and things that can’t pay us or give back, need us a lot. I believe we can make a small difference in our own corners this year. (As usual with these notes, this is a reminder to myself – I know many in this group are constantly performing acts of love, kindness and service – you make a difference).
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