Chapter 1: The Essence of Service

I am currently working on a comprehensive article about enhancing the significance of your life and, by extension, increasing your happiness. Before it’s complete, I’d like to share some concepts, particularly the notion of service.

This article's title, "Inserviendo Consumere," or "To Be Consumed In Service," reflects the motto of my academic institution: Mercy University. While the opinions expressed here do not represent my employer, this motto encapsulates my beliefs quite well.

The more your life's endeavors revolve solely around yourself, the less meaningful and fulfilling your existence tends to be. Conversely, the more you dedicate your life's work to the service of others, the richer and more rewarding your life will become.

As a professor, I often include this quote on my resume: "A good teacher is like a candle that consumes itself while lighting the way for others." Although the origin of this quote is unknown, it certainly captures the essence of what an effective educator should embody.

The phrases "to be consumed in service" or "consumes itself" might remind some of a selfless dedication akin to that of Mother Teresa. However, this is not the only interpretation. Imagine your life as a candle, with its length in inches corresponding to the number of years you will live. The inevitability of its consumption under the flame of time is a given. The real question is whether your life's candle is utilized to illuminate the lives of numerous others or merely to brighten your own small space.

Serving others and serving oneself are not mutually exclusive; they are, in fact, complementary.

If you aspire to wealth, serve others. If you seek to be remembered, serve others. If you desire love, serve others. If you wish for meaning in your life, serve others. If you want happiness, serve others.

There are countless ways to serve, each unique to the individual. So, find your own way to serve others.

Section 1.1: The Impact of Service on Personal Fulfillment

When you commit to serving others, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction. The act of helping those around you can lead to a profound sense of connection and purpose.

Subsection 1.1.1: Finding Your Unique Path to Service

Chapter 2: Embracing a Life of Service

Through embracing a life of service, you not only contribute to the well-being of others but also discover deeper meaning and joy in your own existence.