Paying The Rent Of Service

By Author: tearsjoong
Total Articles: 51
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IN A COMPLEX SOCIETY and a complex civilization the individual is inevitably confused much of the time. But I believe that the basic solution of all world and group problems must first be solved by the individual himself. Each one of us, whether we publicly admit it or not, has a deeply spiritual side. Not one of us can conceal it — scratch the surface and it is always there. So first of all — and underlying all my credo — I believe in God and an orderly universe.
As a mortal, passing through this life for just a limited period of time, I believe that happiness is a truly basic objective — happiness for one's self and, hopefully, happiness for others. It hasn't taken too much living on my part to discover that real happiness, which sounds so selfish and self-centered, is never achieved merely by selfish materialism — it can only have depth and real satisfaction if it is bound up with unselfishness — a consideration for others. Service is the very essence of it. It has been said that "service is the rent we pay for place on earth." That kind of service brings the true happiness ...
... we all seek.
The antithesis of all this is selfishness, which is outstandingly the greatest world-wide vice. It seems as though all the world had the "gimmies,"[1] selfishly grasping for power and more power at national levels, with individuals selfishly struggling for material things at their own level.
Each one of us needs a sense of humor with its balancing factor of a sense of proportion. I believe a sense of humor brings poise and a start towards understanding.
My credo embraces a joyous approach for me towards my fellow man and for collective groups towards each other. I want none of that grim hellfire-and-brimstone stuff that flourished in the early days of our country — a religion of frightening fear of the hereafter. Why, even their old church pews were as uncomfortable as strait jackets! A joyous approach towards living even cheers you yourself — to say nothing of its warmth that eases the burdens of others.
I believe that brotherhood can grow from this to help destroy forever the seeds of friction and injustice that stem from group minority prejudices.

IN A COMPLEX SOCIETY and a complex civilization the individual is inevitably confused much of the time. But I believe that the basic solution of all world and group problems must first be solved by the individual himself. Each one of us, whether we publicly admit it or not, has a deeply spiritual side. Not one of us can conceal it — scratch the surface and it is always there. So first of all — and underlying all my credo — I believe in God and an orderly universe.
As a mortal, passing through this life for just a limited period of time, I believe that happiness is a truly basic objective — happiness for one's self and, hopefully, happiness for others. It hasn't taken too much living on my part to discover that real happiness, which sounds so selfish and self-centered, is never achieved merely by selfish materialism — it can only have depth and real satisfaction if it is bound up with unselfishness — a consideration for others. Service is the very essence of it. It has been said that "service is the rent we pay for place on earth." That kind of service brings the true happiness we all seek.
The antithesis of all this is selfishness, which is outstandingly the greatest world-wide vice. It seems as though all the world had the "gimmies,"[1] selfishly grasping for power and more power at national levels, with individuals selfishly struggling for material things at their own level.
Each one of us needs a sense of humor with its balancing factor of a sense of proportion. I believe a sense of humor brings poise and a start towards understanding.
My credo embraces a joyous approach for me towards my fellow man and for collective groups towards each other. I want none of that grim hellfire-and-brimstone stuff that flourished in the early days of our country — a religion of frightening fear of the hereafter. Why, even their old church pews were as uncomfortable as strait jackets! A joyous approach towards living even cheers you yourself — to say nothing of its warmth that eases the burdens of others.
I believe that brotherhood can grow from this to help destroy forever the seeds of friction and injustice that stem from group minority prejudices.