Hello Somewhat Simple readers. I am so honored to be taking part in Steph’s Summer of Service series. What a fantastic idea for a series! Something that really benefits others.
My service idea is a little different. This summer, we’ve been teaching our kids that doing service for someone DOESN’T have to involve a huge plan, or lots of time, or any money. We spend time as a family talking about people in our lives who might need something, and how we might help them.
We are also a very religious family, and we spend a bit our our prayers each day asking for ideas and inspiration for who needs us.
It has been a fantastic thing for both my kids and my husband and I. We are much more focused on small things we can do to serve those around us.
Need ideas?
Here’s a list we work off of. The things are simple, and will hopefully help you get your mind in a place where you’re constantly looking for things to help others.
Do something for a family member
Do a child-like simple act of service
Thank someone who served me in the past
Do something kind for a stranger
Follow an inspiration immediately
Offer a compliment to someone
Do something intentional for a friend
Do one thing to further a cause or group
Things like phone calls, thank you notes, visits, an unexpected treat, even just saying hello at the grocery store. So many simple ways to serve.
My 8 year old son saw that a girl in his class had her best friend out sick for the day. So he decided to play with her during recess instead of his regular friends.
I decided to write a note to an old teacher that has changed my life, but I never really expressed that to him.
And I MUST give a shout out to a wonderful act of service that Steph did for me just last week. I was supposed to get this post to her, and on the way to a week long vacation, somehow I totally missed it on my “to-do” list. And when I got home, both my kids got the flu….and I got the dreaded “out of the country gom-boo!” Our week has been so stressful. Sweet Steph let me put it off a week. And I don’t think she knows how much that meant to me. So simple.
Sometimes we get overwhelmed with the things that COULD be done in the world. And SHOULD be done. It’s so much. And we know we can’t fix all of it.
But it’s better to do super small things consistently, then nothing at all. Hopefully that concept will help our family focus on others and how we can help the world in achievable ways.
Thanks again Steph for having me! Come visit me at Less Cake {more frosting}. I’d love to have you anytime!
About Todays Post
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing. I seem to get so overwhelmed when the word “service” comes up. But you’re right, it doesn’t have to be something big!