“Things of the spirit differ from things material in that the more you give, the more you have.” – Christopher Morley

When we were small we confessed our dreams and what we wanted to be when we grew up.  We were going to be teachers, mothers, nurses, doctors, and lawyers.  Barbie, Ken, and friends often simulated our dreams – marriage, Barbie mansion, pink corvette, and our best friend Skipper.

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At that age, I don’t think these confessions were based on money.  I really didn’t have a concept of money and the cost of living.  I think we wanted to be important and to make a difference.  But I think society taught us that assets – nice clothes, big house, luxury car- made us important.

Do we really need the status, the house, the car to make a difference?  Isn’t our time just as valuable as our money?  At the end of our playing, Barbie and friends go back in the box and her dream house is folded and put away.  The sensational life is stored until the next time they are brought out to play.

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Is that how some of us are when it comes to serving or volunteering?  Someone inspires us or makes us feel bad so we sign up at the soup kitchen.  We feel validated in those few hours and have satisfied the temporary desire to serve.  We too return to the box just like Barbie only to wait for another opportunity to arise.

When I worked at my Church’s clothes closet on Sunday, I served as the women’s personal shopper and mirror; telling them how cute that outfit was and teasing them that I would gladly take it off their hands.  I teared up when two women thought they found gold when they stumbled across a big bottle (not trial size) of shampoo and conditioner.  *those little things we take for granted

I was sweaty and tired, but I felt important inside that little closet. And I didn’t need designer labels to accomplish it; second-hand clothes were just as nice!

I want to be a life changer – a M.A.D. one to be exact!  One that changes lives on a daily basis and not one that waits for opportunities.  Opportunities are always knocking, but sometimes we choose to not answer the door.

Photo Credit - Choose Happiness

“Everybody can be great.  Because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.