Finding Joy Through Service: A Path to Fulfillment
Written By Patrick Doyle
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Whether you are in sales, service, support, accounting, or leadership — they all start with and are driven by service. In the world today, we are often preoccupied with personal achievements and individual success. It’s so common to overlook one of the easiest and most profound sources of happiness: serving others, and may I add, with kindness. While material accomplishments and personal milestones provide only momentary satisfaction, the real joy derived from selfless service tends to be deeper, longer lasting, and more meaningful.
“You only ‘have to’ to do it until you ‘want to’ to do it.” This was some of the best advice I’ve received about how serving others. They say it’s better to give than receive. Like giving random acts of service or kindness; I’ve found you just feel better after your done helping or serving someone. Remember — despite how you feel in the moment, go serve anyway! The person or people you serve will be glad you did, and you will begin to feel better.
Service isn’t merely about helping others — it’s about connecting with the world around us, fostering empathy, and cultivating purpose. For myself, serving may look like helping a fellow Med One employee to clean out years of clutter before moving out, or helping another one with some IT work downstairs while finishing their basement, or helping a team member move to a different cubicle. For others it might look like volunteering at a local shelter, serving in a church calling, mentoring someone in need, or simply offering a listening ear. Acts of kindness and service have the power to transform both the giver and the recipient.
I am driven by service. Sure, a byproduct or result of great service is that the “S” in service can turn into $ but that $ won’t bring lasting joy. Money does help and can buy a lot of things but not lasting happiness and this is the perfect upcoming season for giving the gift of serving someone.
“Service isn’t merely about helping others—it’s about connecting with the world around us, fostering empathy, and cultivating purpose.”
The Science Behind Service and Joy
Research consistently shows that altruism is linked to improved mental health and emotional well-being. Studies suggest that helping others triggers the release of endorphins—often referred to as the “helper’s high.” Service can also reduce stress, combat depression, and increase overall life satisfaction. If you are struggling with depression – go serve someone. Watch how your burden starts to lighten and begins to melt away by getting your focus away from you and pointed towards another person. In addition to its psychological benefits, service provides a sense of belonging. As social beings, we humans thrive on meaningful connections. Acts of kindness create a ripple effect, strengthening communities and fostering a sense of unity and belonging.
Find Your Path to Service
You don’t have to make grand gestures to find joy in serving others. The key is to identify what resonates with your heart and aligns with your strengths or passions. Maybe share a talent or skill and mentor someone. For me, there are many ways I can and like to serve. One of the ways I like to serve is helping neighbors move in/out of our local church group. I found I have a talent in packing and placing items using the best possible use of cubic space. This skill is also loved and appreciated by all my band mates because all our band gear is always packed tight and safely for every gig we play. Growing up, people told me playing video games will never help you in life. This is one way that playing video games like Tetris has been helpful in life.
Practical Ways To Start
Start Small: Donate unused items or volunteer an hour of your time at a community center, offer to help a fellow Med One co-worker with a task, or help a neighbor with a project or a task.
Pursue Your Passions: If you love teaching, consider tutoring. If you enjoy the outdoors, participate in environmental clean-up initiatives. Aligning service with your interests makes the experience fulfilling.
Be Present: Sometimes, the most profound service is simply being present for someone—listening without judgment and offering support. Also, smile! It may be the difference for someone who really needs it today.
Be Kind: Kindness will break down emotional barriers and is contagious. Be the kindness you want to receive.
Join a Community Group or Volunteer: Participating in group service projects can amplify your impact and connect you with like-minded individuals.
Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Way, Now!
Each of us has a skill, knowledge, or area of expertise. Sharing your time in kindness can foster gratitude from others. At one point, we all need to rely on others for some kind of service. So, if what goes around comes around, then I invite you to consider what you are putting out there to the universe. Why not give away kindness to everyone? We all want to be treated kindly, why not be the kindness you want to receive?
Stories of Transformation
The beauty of service lies in the stories it creates. A volunteer who spent weekends teaching children to read may find renewed purpose in life. A professional offering free mentorship could see their mentee achieve unimaginable success. These stories highlight how small acts of kindness can create profound ripples. What stories will you create? Maybe the story of transformation can become your story of how your service can be the shinning light of hope in someone’s life.
A Win-Win Equation
When you serve others, you inadvertently serve yourself. Service helps shift the focus away from personal struggles, offering a broader perspective on life. It nurtures gratitude, reminding us of the abundance we often overlook.
By dedicating time and effort to others, we cultivate inner joy that no material possession or fleeting achievement can replace. The path to fulfillment isn’t in acquiring more but in giving more.
Final Thoughts
Finding joy through service isn’t just an idealistic notion—it’s a practical, transformative approach to living a meaningful life. As you navigate your journey, remember that service doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be genuine. Start where you are, with what you have, and watch how giving becomes receiving in its purest form.
In a world that often tells us to focus inward, choosing to serve outward can unlock the truest, most profound form of happiness. Get Your Service On!
