The Power of Serving Others: You Can Start Where You Are

by Gary Morsch, Dean Nelson

No one wants to end life's journey Did my life count for something? Did I have a reason for being here? The stories in this book show that for people of all ages, income levels, and expertise, the answer can be a resounding ""Yes!"" From extraordinary examples -- relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or work in refugee camps in Afghanistan -- to localized, everyday actions, the authors demonstrate that living a life of service to others, and seeing how lives are changed as a result, establishes the meaning and significance all humans long for. Moreover, the book provides strategies for creating a purposeful life through daily service. The authors prove that the ability to find fulfillment is within reach, and that the discovery is waiting to be made in homes, workplaces, communities, neighborhoods, and schools all across America.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Self Help, Personal Development, Christian

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Gary Morsch is an American physician, philanthropist, and author. He is the founder of Heart to Heart International and One Heart Many Hands, as well as the founder/CEO of Docs Who Care.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We are the people others are looking for.” This great little book reminds us that we can do small things that make a big difference. See a need, fill a need, right where you are!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on serving others I’ve ever read.

[Kinho Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book to read. It is full of heart-warming real-life stories that help restore some of our optimism about the human race. The ideas are not new or earth-shattering. Some of the recommendations may even appear self-contradictory. Nevertheless, there are important lessons to be gained from the author's perspective. This is a book that touches our hearts and stimulates our minds toward actions. The message is simple. The stories will inspire.

"For whatever reason, we feel that we need more training, more education, more skills assessments, more time, or more money. We don’t. We are the answers to others’ prayers."

[Colleenish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. The author believes that anyone can serve others, and that it is vastly important for us as humans to do so. There were lots of stories. And there were lots of quotes from my favorite authors. I found this short read to be inspiring and affirming.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

everyone has some thing to give. Most people are willing to give when they see the need and have the opportunity. Everyone can do something for someone right now. why don’t most of us naturally live this way of serving others? People simply don’t know how easy it is. Everyone can do some thing now. We can do no great things, only small things with great love. we are the answers to others prayers. to someone in particular, what seems like nothing can’t be everything. what makes us think we are making a difference? Why do we do what we do? What makes us think we can make a difference? What do we live by? success is in the trying, not the outcome. When we serve others, it is useful to go beyond our routine to see what might happen. If we only went with the sure thing, nothing new, whatever happens, we have to be willing to fail now and then. Life is not measured by failures and victories. It’s measured by attempts and journeys. you can make a living, which is to measure what you get—or you can have a life, which is to measure what you give. { I liked this book and it helped me to find purpose in serving others. It truly showed me that everyone can do some thing. }

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Power of Serving Others, the author's overarching philosophy is that serving others is how we find meaning and significance in our lives. His experience suggests that the following three statements are truisms:

1. Everyone has something to give.
2. Everyone can start where they are.
3. Most people are willing to serve others when they see the need and opportunity.

He quotes Morrie (of Tuesdays with Morrie) - "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

Robert Coles, a Harvard professor, told Dorothy Day of the Catholic Worker
Movement that he had misgivings about his motives for serving others. She said, "If we were going to forbid hypocrites to work here with us, there'd be no one else to do the work, and no one to do the forbidding!"

Some of my takeaways from this moving and inspiring book follow:

Get in the Boat. "Everyone has something to give. Everyone can do something now. Many people are willing to give is they are presented the opportunity." "Institutions can't and won't save us when we need help. And let's admit it: We all need help sometimes. The corollary is that we all need to help sometimes. That's what gives our lives meaning and significance."

Get Over Yourself. "We can do no great things, only small thins with great love" (Mother Teresa). "Nobody gets to heaven without a letter of reference from the poor" (Jim Wallis in God's Politics). "Sometimes my true vocation lies in putting away the stethoscope -- the badge that tells the world who I am, or at least who I think I am -- and picking up a shovel at a garbage pile in Calcutta." "Serving makes us see ourselves as part of a larger picture." Service starts with whatever is within reach.

Look In Your Hand. Trust that whatever you have at hand will be enough, and dive in. Don't hesitate because of what you don't have...focus on using to best effect what you do have. We are the answers to other peoples' prayers. Think small enough so that you can get started...resources follow action.

Give What You Can. Most people want to help others. What stops them is that they don't think that what they have to offer would be helpful, or they don't know how to help. Remember that everyone can do something...write a letter, hold a hand, relieve suffering in some way, however small. We can all do something, and sometime even nothing is something. Skip a meal and donate what you save...or give the food to another. Give time that is going to waste. Give of the space in your life. To someone, what seems like nothing to you, can be everything.

Think Small. Start where you are...with whatever you have, no matter how small. Every ideology in the world will fail. "everyone needs a sense of purpose in their lives that ascends their daily routines. I believe our purpose is to give of ourselves according to our ability to give, and according to our neighbor's need. That's the only way we can find meaning in our lives on this earth. It's not about making money or acquiring power. It's about serving others. That's what we're here to do. That's my 'ism.'" stop thinking in terms of what you can't do, and start thinking of what you can do, however small it might be. Start where you are.

Be There. Sometimes the people who need us as to be found nearby, and only need something small. Sometimes all they need is for us to be present with them. "...you come to keep them company when it feels like the whole world is falling apart, and your being there says that just for this moment, this one tiny piece of the world is OK..." (Anne Lamott). Often those in need become "invisible" to others, and their most immediate need is to be noticed, acknowledged. As James
Fowler says, in a world that says people only have value if they pull their weight and contribute something of value, what could be more relevant than affirming by word and deed that every person is a loved and valued child of God? Sometimes the right mindset is "Don't just do something, stand there!"

Lose To Win. When things look bleak, serve anyway. Lose yourself in the service of others. "Failure is what you decide it is. Sometimes it is a launching pad to something better. Losses won't always become victories. But they are part of the journey." Chuck Colson says that he maturing of the soul is the object of life...that happens as we serve others.

Love Anyway. If our lives are going to be committed to serving others, inevitably some of those others are going to be enemies. Love them anyway. "Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you. It's an opportunity, so use the occasion to live the servant life" (Eugene Peterson)." You can make a living (measured by what you get), or you can have a life (measured by what you give). Loving our enemies means we must humanize them. That does not mean unconditional acceptance of bad behavior, but it does mean identifying with their humanity and weaknesses. To effect that change in ourselves, we must turn from looking inward to looking outward...act as if you love, and you will begin to love in reality. Service to others changes the give as well as the receiver, and over time, profoundly so.

Pull Out The Arrow. The immediate need is to relieve the pain, whether physical, emotional, spiritual or anything else. Assessment of guilt, blame, cause, and so forth comes later. Pull out the arrow...and they are sticking out of people all around us, all we have to do is open our eyes and see, and then act. When we leave the responsibility for service to others to institutions like the government or corporations, we lose the opportunity to find meaning and significance in our own lives.

[Linda Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found "The Power of Serving Others" an interesting read. The authors, Gary Morsch and Dean Nelson are very encouraging to the reader at finding where they can make a difference. And - it is not necessary to go half way around the world in order to do that. It is not necessary to have a lot of money, a big business, or multiple employees. All it takes is one person to change the life of another. We never know how our actions may affect another human being's life unless we try by taking the focus off of our own life for a moment.

Morsch and Nelson also pointed out that every attempt to help someone may not be successful in the way you may have anticipated or others may say negative things about you for trying, but "do it anyway." After all, how will we know, if we don't try?

I would DEFINITELY recommend this book, to ANY reader, adult, teen, man, woman, book club, whatever. The potential for a ripple effect could be amazing!

[Dylan Gurl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. I did not know much about Gary Morsch before this, but what shines through is a genuine belief in the importance of doing good works. The brief chapters are to my mind inspiring, though some might find them too full of personal stories, and I appreciate the repeated emphasis on the author's own three principles of service (Everyone has something to give; Everyone can start where they are; Most people are willing to serve others when they see the need and opportunity). I imagine anyone who values serving others would enjoy reading and reflecting on this.

[Samuel Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and the concepts and stories therein are an important addition to anyone’s library. More so than that, it is important for them to be made a part of the life and heart of anyone living within reach of another human being.

[علاء ابوغليون · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب يتحدث عن تجارب شخصية للمؤلف في مجال خدمة الاخرين ونتائج ذالك عليه

[Lydia Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 2014 United Methodist Women's Reading Program book. I enjoyed this book. I used portions of it as a book review for our local UMW group.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

اگر در عشق ورزیدن مردود شویم،
در همه ی کارهای دیگر شکست می خوریم.
(ویلیام اسلون کافین)
ص ۳۵

[سمية عبد العزيز · Rating 3 out of 5]

تقديم :
" أسهل طريق للسعادة هي أن تـُشرك فيها غيرك. " * فيكتور هوجو


"من القلب إلى القلب الدولية" هو إسم مؤسسة يقوم دورها على إيصال التبرعات والخدمات الخيرية للجهة المحتاجة, قام بتأسيسها غاري مورش الذي يفترض أن الناس يودون فعلاً خدمة الآخرين لكن لا يعرفون كيفية ذلك ! وقد استقطبت المؤسسة آلآف المتطوعين من الأطباء والمهندسين والمصممين وحتى ربات البيوت الراغبين بتقديم المساعدة, وكسبت أيضا ً احترام الحكومات وتأييد الشركات الكبرى التي هي محور انطلاق المؤسسة, فالمؤسسة لا تملك طائراتها الخاصة لإقامة جسر جوي طبي بل تعتمد على شركة طيران ترغب بالتبرع, وعلى شركة حافلات وشركات أدوية والخ من الشركات الداعمة .


هذا الكتاب هو دعاية وتعريف بالمؤسسة من قبل مؤسسها غاري مورش الذي لايعتمد في سرده على حقائق وأرقام بل على القصص والدروس والعبر التي كتبها لنا ليس على لسان آخرين بل كخبرة مباشرة عاينها بنفسه في رحلاته الكثيرة للهند و كوسوفو وفيتنام وغيرها الكثير .

كتب الناشر وهو العبيكان يقول أن الهدف من ترجمة الكتاب هو إلقاء الضوء على عمل الجمعيات الخيرية والتبشيرية في الغرب, أي من باب " اعرف عدوك ", وهو هدف جيد كما أظن, لأنه كما يعرف الجميع أنها جمعيات ناجحه ي عملها وسبر أغوارها والوقوف على سبب نجاحها قد يفيدنا كثيرا ً في اتقاء شرهم (ان كانت تبشيرية ) أو في الأخذ ببعض خبراتهم, وقد ساعدني الكتاب كثيرا ً في فهم ما يفكرون به "كشعب" بعيدا ً عن الحكومات والدوافع السياسية نحو كوارث العالم و مجاعات العالم .

يعرض الكاتب فلسفته تجاه العمل الخيري وما تتركه من أثر عظيم في النفس, تماما ً كما أخبرنا الإسلام به قبل ألف وأربعمائة عام, ويعرض أيضاً أقوالاً لعلماء ومؤلفين كتبوا في هذا الشأن, فيخبر عن كوشنر مثلا ً الذي يقول في أحد كتبه إن تسخير أنفسنا للآخرين لا يغير على المستوى المنطقي شيئا ً من ماضينا " إلا أنه على المستوى اللامنطقي حيث تسكن أرواحنا يفضي بنا إلى الأعماق الخيرة النبيلة من ذواتنا "وهو ما يتفق مع قول الله تعالى : (خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدقةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا) .

يقول الكاتب اننا جميعا ً نستطيع تقديم عمل ما بطريقة ما فقد جائتهم ذات يوم سيدة وكانت تقول أنها تريد المشاركة في العمل الخيري لكنها لا تجيد أي عمل فهي فقط أم لأطفالها , وذات يوم عندما كانت في المستشفى الخيري وجدت لا فتة عند غرفة الأطفال الرضع تقول "لا تلمس الأطفال" فتعجبت وسألت الممرضة باستنكار عن السبب فقالت الممرضة "إذا حملت واحداً سيشعر الآخرون ويبكون والجميع مشغول هنا فمن سيحملهم!" وهنا وجدت السيدة الأم عملها الخيري ومكثت ساعات عملها الخيري في حمل الأطفال الرضع بالتناوب واعطائهم بعض الدفء والحنان المفقود .

أيضا يذكر بعض تجارب الأشخاص في علاجهم للإكتئاب والملل, كالسيدة الثرية التي لم يسعدها ثرائها ولا أولادها ولا مكانتها الإجتماعية بل حتى طبيبها النفسي لكنها أخيرا ً وجدت نفسها ورضاها في العمل الخيري والذي لم يكن سواء التخفيف عن الناس وقول بعض العبارات التشجيعية لهم .

كتاب ذا فائدة, واختم منه بعبارة جميلة يقول فيها مورش " إن من يحتاج إلينا لا يريد أكثر مما هو متاح في أيدينا الآن مهما صغر شأنه " .

[Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with some great messages that should have been a 10-20 page essay.

It does a really good job of impressing upon the reader that service doesn't have to be a grand act. Any act of service is important.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Inspiring. Recommended to friends and gave as gifts.

[Loody · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is a wonderful, it has many of real experiances of the auther.and i would like to read the translating one in Arabic.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wondering how you can help change the world? Start by reading this book