Do we ever wonder why we feel light, happy, and great when we do even small acts of kindness to those around us, and especially those who need it most? It is because mankind's nature is love. Love for one another creates the ripple of goodness.
How we express that love through service to others is aptly captured in the Objects of Rotary which is, "To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise."
Rotary further explains this "ideal of service by the development of acquaintances as an opportunity for service; high ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; the application of the ideal of service in one's personal, business and community life; and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
What an inspiring summation of guidelines through which we can spread kindness and goodness within our families, our respective communities, and the world. By following these guidelines, we can foster goodwill, peace, and understanding that hopefully will prevent further wars and ego-bashing among world leaders, even down to the local barangay.
"One profits most who serves best" is a good guideline for our daily lives, from the way we encourage our children to respect and love their elders to our business and personal relationships. This mantra further dignifies our way of life when we adapt truth, respect, and professionalism in everything we do as it defines our character and persona.
I recall an incident years ago when my beloved mother who was a teacher engaged her students into submitting an essay about service. She asked them to cite why we should practice being kind when we serve others.
These 30 students were ages 11 and 12. When it was time to review their essays, my mother was struck by the response of a 12-year-old boy named Benito who wrote: "Service to me means that I should always be a good boy to my parents at home, to my teachers and classmates in school, and to the neighbors in my community. I can do small good deeds like helping a grandmother cross the street, sharing my cookies with a hungry kid, and giving a part of my saved allowance towards the afternoon merienda for the orphans in the Center."
My mother Rosario gave Benito a perfect score for that essay and the whole class gave him a standing ovation. That essay changed the mindset of all the students and even many of the faculty because it explained how we can be agents of change through simple acts of service.
I challenge everyone to practice one act of service towards others every day. I am sure this act of kindness will create ripples of goodness all around that will change us and those we help forever.
