Dear Family in Service,
I think that the opportunity to do service is indeed a joy and great privilege—not one to ever be taken for granted. There is such a fragile, sweet connection that happens between the givers and the receivers of service; and often one is left wondering “was I the giver or the receiver??” In this oneness of giving and receiving, a blessed and transformative experience occurs for both. Reaching out to share requires us to open in vulnerability and trust; while accepting and receiving what is being offered creates a space of deep vulnerability as well.
Mother Teresa shared personally with our Founder, John-Roger, the 5 special words that drove her service: “You Did This To Me.” Another 5 words have inspired and driven my particular service: “We Are Our Brother’s Keeper.” And to me, EVERYONE is our brother, and anything we can do to lift the load from his heart, lighten the heaviness of his burdens, or simply walk alongside of him in loving support and encouragement, is service of the very highest. This is and has been our goal in the work of the Heartfelt Foundation.
Heartfelt service was birthed after taking an Insight Service Seminar in 1979. I and others were deeply moved by the power of doing community service with a group of like-minded hearts. Afterwards, small groups of us began going out to feed the homeless, visit the sick and aged, bring cheer to the homebound, create parties to uplift orphaned or deprived children, paint and repair homes, and assist throughout the year wherever we found a need. Heartfelt’s direction was clear from that point on.
Our service has extended to those throughout the world that are least-advantaged, helping those that come to us and those we find, as well as encouraging individuals and groups to serve and assist their planetary family however they are able. I do think we have been given an additional charge as humans, to go out and find those most fragile and in need of help — and not wait for them to come to us.
There are so many opportunities right now, right where you are, to serve: there are the poor and homeless in shelters or at soup kitchens; the sick and dying in hospitals and hospices; the forgotten and aged in nursing and convalescent homes; and perhaps your own relatives and friends in crisis or need.
And please teach your children to do service. If a child is able to experience the powerful difference their very presence makes in the life of someone less fortunate, chances are they will continue to include service in their daily lives. You can make doing service together a fun and simple family experience, and yet a memorable and learning one for a child.
Throughout the years I’ve discovered that people are not healed and changed by the “stuff ” you give to them…even life-sustaining things like food or medicine. Those are simply tools, vehicles to get your foot in the door and share your loving heart! People are healed and their lives changed forever by the LOVING, the CARE, the TIME, the ENERGY, the heart-connections you give and share. That’s what plants the seeds of life transformation inside of them! That is why you do this.
So in your service outreach, don’t be concerned if you have no money or material things to give to someone in need—you have YOU and your loving heart, and that’s the greatest gift you could ever give to anyone.
Often people tell me that they don’t know where to begin to serve, or they’re afraid they’ll be overwhelmed by the great need that exists everywhere. And yes, there is a great need—everywhere! But I encourage you to just take one small, manageable step, and the Universe will do the rest. And as you break through any limitations or barriers you may have to reaching out and extending in service, you find that there is absolutely NO separation between you and another human Soul! None. And in that amazing realization you discover that it has only just been: YOU SERVING YOU DISGUISED AS ANOTHER!
In loving service and joy,
Patti Rayner
The Heartfelt Foundation.
God blesses us all.
Patti Rayner
The Heartfelt Foundation.
