Iyanla Vanzant is the founder and executive director of Inner Visions International and the Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. She is the author of 13 titles—including five New York Times bestsellers—and the Inner Visions CD Series. Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through has been published by SmileyBooks and available here. Iyanla is a Spiritual Technician. She is a Master Teacher. She is a woman of passion, clear vision and purpose, with a wicked sense of humor. Ordinary? Maybe. We think Dr. Maya Angelou's description is much more appropriate. Iyanla is, by many accounts, a Phenomenal Woman!The greatest service I can offer is . . .
no expectation of recognition or reward.
Service is not about fixing, changing or helping anyone. Service is about you. Service is about giving what you have to offer without expecting recognition or reward. It is about doing what needs to be done, as you are asked. It means giving 100 percent of your attention to what you are doing as long as you are able to do so without causing yourself harm. Anything more than this is an attempt to gain control. Anything less than this is a disservice.
When you go into a restaurant, it is the server's job to bring you whatever you order. Let's say you order a grilled chicken breast. It is not the server's job to slaughter the chicken! In most cases, the server is not the one who cooks the chicken. Hopefully, the server will not add hot sauce, bar-b-que sauce, gravy or ketchup to your chicken breast unless that is what you ordered. Nor would your server be likely to tell you about the cholesterol content of the chicken skin. It would not be appropriate for the server to take your order and then go get a haircut. Once your meal is prepared and presented, it is unlikely that the server would cut or chew the chicken for you. Nor would he tell you how big to cut the chicken pieces or how long to chew them. Once you have received the meal you ordered if the server has done exactly what you asked and expected, you might leave a tip in appreciation. If the server expects the tip, he has not done his job. He has not served you.
Give what you have to offer without expectation. Do what you are asked to do -- nothing more. Give 100 percent of your attention without causing yourself harm. Give with love. Give in joy. More you cannot do. Less you must not do, if it is your intention to be of service.
Until today, you may not have been aware of the elements and aspects of true service. Just for today, put forth the effort to serve, rather than trying to help someone.
Today I am devoted to being a divine servant and a servant of the Divine!
From Until Today!
by Iyanla Vanzant
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