Are you being served?

There was a delightful British television show years ago called “Are You Being Served?” The cast of characters was composed of salespeople at an upscale department store. In very proper fashion, they were dedicated to serving all the patrons who entered the store, to the exclusion of all else. The customer was always right and usually left happy and satisfied.

Service … it is a word with deep meaning.

According to the Google dictionary, service is “the action of helping or doing work for someone.” Synonyms are: favor, kindness, good turn, helping hand.

I would like to take that a step further and elaborate a bit. To me, service is “the act of helping or doing work for people who are in no position to repay you.”

Recently, at Brittany Pointe Estates, where I work, our longtime mailman retired. Mailman Mike, as we affectionately call him, proudly served the residents there for just shy of 20 years. This dedicated gentleman showed up each and every work day, happy to serve, proud to be a part of the lives of hundreds of residents. He knew each person. When he saw a resident approach the mailboxes when he was delivering mail, he knew exactly who that person was and, even more impressive, which apartment was his or hers. He would happily be ready, with the mail in his hand, to personally deliver to that particular resident. Impressive, to say the least. He did this with a cheerful smile on his face, a genuine greeting and an earnest desire to serve. More aptly put, he truly cared.

Mailman Mike earned the love and respect of an entire community. Last week, the residents took it upon themselves to throw a grand farewell reception to show their appreciation for this incredible servant. Nearly 200 people showed up to wish him well and get one last hug from their favorite mailman.

When asked about his years of selfless service, he merely said, “It was nice to feel appreciated.”

There is something to be said for helping your fellow man. I recently returned from my yearly mission trip with Appalachian Service Project. Each year, I tell myself it will be my last year, that the next year I will take that week for a family vacation or a week off to myself. But then something happens. When I arrive in Appalachia and am reminded of the terrible need of this impoverished area, I am overcome with a huge desire to help those less fortunate. The looks on the faces of the family members we help are all the reason we need to commit to yet another year. Yes, I will be going back next year.

But we need not travel to other areas to see opportunities around us to serve. Little things can make a difference, and the opportunities are endless. Check in on elderly neighbors in the summer when temperatures soar, or shovel their walkway in the winter when snow piles up. If you know someone is lonely, pay a visit, spend a few minutes chatting. The smallest act of kindness to those in need can make a huge difference.

Let kindness rule. Let patience be your creed. And remember the words of Dr. Seuss, “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world.” A simple act of kindness can make that world so much better, even if just for a moment or two.

I truly believe that the biggest beneficiary of even the smallest act of kindness you offer is you. Kindness does a heart good. Try it. You’ll like it.