What do Cookies and Sacrifice Have in Common? - Being of Service and Support in Our Community

Have you heard about the “Cookie Girl?” Sophina Lindquist, a twelve year old from Minnesota, made chocolate chip cookies with her mom (several days a month) and delivered them to police departments, fire stations, and ambulance companies in the St. Cloud area (for three years, y’all)! Her mom said, she wanted to thank everyone who protected and served the community. When Sophina couldn’t deliver cookies due to COVID, they spent 300 days outside waving, smiling, and sharing a positive message of thanks and love. Her mom described how people’s faces were literally transformed as they passed by. The simplicity of giving from a place of gratitude, or willingness to share a smile and positive message, got me thinking about the importance of sacrifice, service, and community.

What does the word “sacrifice” mean to you? A martyr? Surrendering? Doing something you don’t want to do but feel you should? The modern definition of sacrifice means giving up something valued or sacrificing oneself, or one’s interest, for others, a cause, or ideal.

Being of service is an example of sacrifice. When we do something to help others, without expectation, it benefits us in several ways: It helps us clarify our values and what is important to us; it helps us grow as a person and create meaning in our lives; it is good for our mental health and emotional well-being; it helps us connect and build stronger communities. Lastly, it can also help us be more successful in life. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Are you curious on how you might give back? Acts of service can be accomplished in a variety of ways via your time, ideas, talents, resources, or even a financial donation. Giving back is a way of sharing the gifts we each have. For example, one of my passions is fitness and kickboxing. Three years ago, I saw a Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) class at our local YMCA. RSB is a non-contact boxing class for those with Parkinson’s Disease that helps slow the progression of the disease. I wanted to help and became a volunteer RSB coach. The head coach and I even moved RSB online and have taught classes as volunteers during COVID. We love supporting the boxers! Think about your gifts and interests; then explore ways to match those talents to help someone else. The key is genuine giving without expectation.

I want to point out one cautionary note of service (or sacrifice). When it is begrudging, an expectation of return, exclusionary, or at the expense of ourselves, it can lead to burn out, a loss of authentic connection, or even resentment. So take a little time to define your boundaries and determine when you say yes, how often (and when you have to focus elsewhere in your life) in order to maintain balance.

Being of genuine service creates a ripple effect when aligned with who we are, and what we want to create in life, because it shapes our positive choices and intentions--helping to create more positive possibilities and opportunities for us, others, and our community.

If you want to lead a more successful and fulfilled life, consider sharing your gifts and give back. Your life will feel more meaningful because of it.

How can you be of service, today?

(Original article, Gig Harbor Living Local Magazine, July 2021)