The Power of Tiny Acts of Service

One day Shivkrupananda Swami ji happened to visit a  tiny barbershop for a haircut. When he arrived the shop was not yet opened.  He waited for a while till the owner arrived.

Once the owner came he opened his shop did the puja and started his business.  He gave swamiji a haircut and shaved his beard. After he finished swamiji offered his payment. However, the barber refused it.

Surprised swamiji said, ” Just because I am an ascetic you shouldn’t refuse money from me.” However the barber continued to refuse. He said” swamiji everyday i dont charge my first customer. It is my simple way of doing social service and giving back to the society”

This story is from the Autobiography of Shivkupanand Swami, “Himalay ka Samarpan Yog”.

In life we take up jobs to fulfill our basic needs but as we progress we become more engrossed in gaining, collecting and accumulating our money and wealth.

Some people realise that they have enough and give to charity too. But a person like a barber who strives on day to day income can be thoughtful enough to give back to the society in some form then why do we ignore it?

I believe  Social service should be done in by all individuals.  It can be a small act like adding a thoughtful quote to your social media daily or helping out at a centre.

The benefits of social service

1. Personal growth: A person who does regular social service can realise the importance of empathy and help allivate suffering of others

2. Gratitude: helping someone else shifts the focus from one self to another person’s issues and creates Gratitude towards what we have and reducing mental health issues

3. Sense of fulfilment and purpose

4. Building of a better community amd society due to your tiny efforts.

Tiny efforts lead to mighty impacts. What is your tiny efforts towards the society? Do let me know in the comments below.

What job would you do for free?