I am reading more and more about how isolated we are as a society. We interact via machines. We interact with machines. Machines interact with us. We think we are communicating but we likely are not. That made me think of “Service” in all its many forms and the value it carries right now.

And yet…Service seems to be struggling. Membership in service clubs is down. Membership on charity boards is down. Participation in special events is down. What does that mean exactly? Well, maybe we like our isolation, our communication patterns, our mechanical interactions. Or, maybe we think we do.

Spring is nearly here and with Spring comes our annual “get outside party”. I would suggest that when we do get out there that we search for Service chances. Maybe attend a fundraiser for a not-for-profit. Maybe volunteer for a river or park clean-up. Maybe attend a service club’s meeting just to see what goes on. Maybe investigate what organizations are doing in Elmhurst and join something.

I know that time is our most valuable possession and that what we do with it means a great deal to our lives. But, I believe that Service adds a great deal to our lives and it breaks down isolation and some of its drawbacks. You can’t do everything, but you can do something. 

Service and Spring start with the same letter…so does Satisfaction…which can come from Service. Please give it some thought.