Memorial Day honors those who have lost their lives in national service. The ideals of service to others comes from deep wisdom traditions that extend across the world. Seva (in Sanskrit) or selfless service teaches high ideals that value others over one’s self. Selfless service is a way to self-realization and joy. Through serving others we become more connected to the deep source of life that is within all of us and we begin to share the tears and fears of others. Some people find the best way to do seva is by serving their families. Others do seva by doing their jobs well and giving the time and quality of energy necessary to make it worth the pay.

Selfless service for some extends to doing volunteer work. I recently met a young woman, Alyson, who spent time working in Uganda. Her non-profit organization, Lovegrows.org, is made up of a group of young men and women inspired to volunteer their time, resources and money to help build wells and serve underprivileged children in Africa. “It was an eye opener for me,” the Alyson said. She glows with joy and has found the experience both eye and heartopening.

Even though it may be a holiday, consider in what way you might serve someone today. Sometimes a smile is enough to lift someone’s spirits and change the entire mood of a situation.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.debramoffitt.com and http://www.awakeintheworld.com.