Get Inspired

From the Introduction

The idea for the book Spirit of Service was born of President Obama’s impassioned plea to Americans to step into the moment and take part in remaking America through service. While many of us are well intentioned, turning intention into action has become the aspiration of this daily guide.

The book is about cultivating the spirit of service, meaning you will be opening your heart, your mind, your resources, and your calendar to the needs of others. As you embark upon the 365 days, you may find that your own ego and needs melt away, making way for a new perspective and a more useful understanding of how you can truly contribute. While no reader is meant to follow the suggestions on every page, we encourage you to spend fifteen minutes a day fully giving yourself to the idea you’re reading about and then imagining how you might become involved. To make it that much easier for you, we provide a way to get started by referring you to an organization, group, or resource related to the topic. Our suggestions for service range from the tiniest of actions to grand efforts to influence change. Our hope is that you will keep moving through the book daily, trying some suggestions immediately and bookmarking others to perhaps consider at a later time. Regardless of how you choose to use the information, we believe that each page can serve as a gateway for you to learn more. Some days may inspire a new interest for you, and some may spark discussion with others or simply increase your awareness. While some pages may not resonate with you, keep reading each day until you find your perfect fit. Along the way, we urge you to try new endeavors. And even if you don’t see yourself picking up trash along a highway or learning to crochet a prayer shawl, we invite you to fully imagine the question, What if I did? We challenge you to just jump in with faith, knowing that every experience won’t be ideal but that it may be worthwhile on your pathway to finding your best match for service. Spirit of Service promotes the idea that individuals can make a difference and that at any moment you can influence an outcome. And guess what? That moment is every moment. Any time you want to heed the call, you can. You can become bigger than you are.

There are many reasons to serve—whichever one or combination of reasons drives you, dig into that and let it push you forward. You may have days at a time when work, family—life itself!—leave you gasping for air. But don’t let a little setback snuff your spirit of service. Simply pick up where you left off and know that every moment you spend in an effort to better the world, no matter how brief, stirs the forces of positive change.