Being of Service to Others – Debby Emeny

Service to others is a universal principle that transcends all boundaries. When we give from a place of genuine compassion, we not only impact those we help, but we also connect to something much larger than ourselves.

When we serve others with an open heart, we create ripples that extend far beyond the initial act. A single moment of kindness can alter someone’s path, giving them hope when they need it most. This interconnectedness reminds us that no act of service, however seemingly small, is unimportant.

Research consistently shows that those who engage in regular acts of service experience greater life satisfaction. This isn’t merely coincidental.

Beyond Obligation – The Helpers High

Genuine service goes beyond obligation and duty. While these may be the catalyst for acts of kindness, true service emerges from a more meaningful place of empathy and understanding.  This matters because service performed from obligation often leads to burnout, while service from true compassion becomes self-sustaining.

When we serve authentically we can experience what psychologists call the “helper’s high”, a biochemical response that increases endorphins and oxytocin that create feelings of warmth and connection.  However, when someone engages in service primarily to experience these biochemical rewards rather than from genuine care for others’ wellbeing, they transform what should be a selfless act into a form of self-service, missing the deeper spiritual benefits of true compassionate action.  It is the intention behind the service that determines its transformative power.

The Mirror of Service

A life oriented around service doesn’t require grand gestures or dramatic sacrifices. It emerges through intentional choices: offering a listening ear, volunteering your time, mentoring those with less experience, or simply extending kindness to strangers.

Often, we’re drawn to help others in areas where we ourselves have experienced struggle or lack. This mirror effect can manifest in two powerful ways: either we help others through challenges we’ve already overcome, or we’re unconsciously drawn to address in others what remains unhealed within ourselves.

Those who have overcome addiction may become counsellors; people who experienced childhood trauma work with vulnerable youth; individuals who faced financial hardship create economic opportunities for others. This reflection isn’t coincidental, it represents a deep human tendency to find meaning by transforming our wounds into sources of healing.

When we recognize this mirror, service becomes not just an outward action but an opportunity for mutual growth where both giver and receiver participate in a shared journey of restoration.

Embracing the Journey of Service

The path of service offers a profound paradox: in giving to others we also receive. When we serve with authentic compassion, recognizing ourselves in those we help while honouring our own boundaries, we transform both our lives and the world around us.

As service becomes a natural part of who we are, it shifts from an action to way of being. This deeper understanding reveals the true essence of service, a continuous exchange of giving and receiving that uplifts everyone it touches, offering the greatest gift of all: a life filled with meaning, connection, and profound joy.

Debby Emeny Rezonate/Empowering Transformation rezonate.co.nz~021800293