There is a quote that resonates with me deeply. It’s from Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali philosopher, composer, social reformer and painter who lived from 1861 until 1941. The words “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy” so spoke to me when I read them.

Service has so many connotations, but the core of it is taking action, doing something while expecting nothing in return. It’s the way we show our love to our families and to our treasured friends. It is the way we give of ourselves to our community. And, for many, it is the work that we do, making a difference in other’s lives.

For those of us who work in healthcare, it is obvious to see the ways we make a difference, even if we are not “hands on” caregivers. Our efforts matter to the wellbeing of others. But the same applies in many fields, our products, our services, our messages, our assistance all provide service of some sort, if we stop and look at that way.

So often, we are caught up in the “busy,” swimming against the tide of “so much to do” and “so many demands.” The service, the impact, becomes lost in the relentless pounding of the work and we never stop, never take a breath, never think about how and why what we do matters, how and why we matter.

This past week I had the opportunity to do something I love but can’t always find room for in my packed schedule, I spent time with the people that we serve. Instead of a hurried hello and a smile as I pass by, heels clacking as I race down the hall, I took the time to have conversation, to create something together, to enjoy music, to dance and sway holding each other’s hands.

I walked away with a sense of peace that I rarely have but, more than that, a feeling of joy. It is the joy of remembering what is important. It is the joy of providing service. It is the joy of opening your heart and allowing it to be full.