THE JOY OF SERVICE

There is none in the world who does not look for ways of joy in life. (May I call your attention to a post on 14^th April 2014. There I have noted about the difference between happiness and joy.)  In fact, whatever we do is to find joy in life. Different people use different means to achieve this but for many it ends with sleepless nights and peace less days.  I had a friend who had a reputable job in a Central Government firm. His educational qualification was such that if he had stuck to it, he would have had all the worldly facilities within a few years. But he left the job and started serving the slums of Mumbai. When I asked him why, he said, “The other job might have given me a fully furnished quarters, chauffeur driven car and a heavy pay; but this gives me satisfaction, sense of fulfillment and joy.”

Albert Schweitzer a theologian, organist, philosopher and physician was a person who found joy in his work in Africa. Many of his friends asked him why he left the lucrative position in the affluent community he was living. His reply was, “We desire happiness and peace and work to achieve it the best way possible.  I derive joy and sense of satisfaction in serving these helpless and hapless people.” It is said that his own brother ridiculed him saying that he shall regret about the decision to go to the primitive culture and he shall be a zero in life; but his persistence made him go to Africa. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life" expressed in many ways.  The paradox is that Albert’s name and fame has gone across the ages and his brother’s name is forgotten by the next generations.

Whatever we earn in the material world cannot be taken from here and the fate of those is that their name shall be forgotten along with their death. Whatever we give shall be remembered even after our death. Hence let us ask, “What is the legacy I am leaving when I die?” ”