How Service Lengthens Your Life

I will drink brewed coffee, but I prefer espresso. The very nice hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona where I stay has an espresso machine in the lobby, so I can help myself. The problem is, the steamed milk portion of the machine seldom works. As one of the kitchen crew emerged with complimentary muffins, I asked about steamed milk. He offered to procure some from the kitchen. I declined; he gently and politely insisted. I let him. Two minutes later, he returned with a pitcher of steamed milk. I had several espresso’s. Life is good.

This is how service should work, but seldom does. It didn’t cost him anything to be attentive, and it made my day. Endorphins (the feel good hormone) flooded into my brain, because of his attentiveness and the coffee, making it easier to deal with the stresses of life.

Sometimes it is something as simple and unexpected as an act of service that changes our attitude about the day, and maybe people in general. Service doesn’t mean slavery. Service, according to the dictionary, means the action of helping someone. Two people benefit from unexpected service: the person receiving the benefit, and the server.

You are walking down the street. Someone drops something, trips and falls, or is struggling with a load too heavy. You stop and lend a hand. You are of service to them. It cost you nothing but a little time and effort. It contributed to their sense of wellbeing, and good feelings about the world in general. Maybe everyone isn’t self-serving, thoughtless, obnoxious, uncharitable, and arrogantly domineering. Maybe there are still cooperative, considerate people in the world. Maybe you just met one, or you are one. 

Seeing a need, and responding, is an act of service. Both parties benefit; producing endorphins and feeling better about yourself and the world at large.

And that attitude contributes to long life and Aging Intelligently.