EDITORIAL
The Importance of Service
by Ras Rocker Tafari a.k.a. Rocker-T
Why is it important to serve? And as brothers and sisters how do we find a way to serve each other when we live in a world that seems to drive people to only attend to themselves? Because life can be easier when we give and get help. When we help each other there is a feeling of fulfillment. It feels good to be able to share and to aid those in need. And when we are rescued in our time of desperation there is hardly a greater joy.
So, that is the relevance of service. It is important to serve because even when we think we are doing everything by ourselves there are still others somehow helping us. And if we do not engage in service action then we never truly know the depth of how we are being helped. Often some gift towards another goes seemingly unnoticed and can leave one feeling under appreciated. Only when we have experienced both the receiving and giving sides of aid do we really see how valuable the energies that we give and receive are. In relationship to freedom and the right to be free, we must recognize that true freeness is not an inconsiderate free-for-all. True freeness is a respect and revelry of
individuality and difference that recognizes our commonality and we can all use reminders to give thanks for all of the help and love we receive.
What is the purpose? The purpose of serving others is to create an environment that is less stressful and less competitive than our present situation. Nowadays we might feel forced to serve others against our will or in ways that cause us to feel put out or taken advantage of. But to react to one's own actions in this way can be quite harmful. Feelings of resentment and even lack of self-esteem can accumulate and fester due to one not realizing how divine and selfless the actions are. It is wiser to joy in the service so that it translates as true love that is free of bad karma or any type of sadness. Selflessness and sharing bring a momentary and long-term sense of contentment. However, their opposites, selfishness and greed are actions that can result in temporary happiness and may relay shallow feelings of power and security but their long-term effects are isolation and desolation. So while being humble and meek may often seem to be unpopular be aware that these are truly some of the highest human behaviors and surely lead to a state of enlightened peace.
"Do you know? Social Living is a must!" - Winston Rodney of the Burning Spear
Photo by Grizz the Pureman