ROTARY SHARES

Speeches :

Rotary Shares

Speech delivered on 1st July 2007 in Kolkatta - R I Dist:3290 - during the installation ceremony of DG Aniruddha Choudhury

What is Service? It is the total amalgamation of the use of the head, (intelligent evaluation of the needs) the heart (compassionate rendering of the solution to the needs) and the hands (action to suit the solution). Service, however, can be more than mere use of the head, the heart and the hands. There is an element of selfless involvement and an element of sacrifice. If service is concerned about the needs of others, Rotary should be involved in all these and render help with love and tenderness. No service is appreciated by the recipient unless it is simmered with your personal involvement coupled with sincerity and compassion. That’s how Rotarians share.

Even if it is a mere smile, you can share it with the community. A smile can be a ray of sunshine that someone needs in an otherwise stormy life. If they can’t see the stars twinkle in their dark lives, it doesn’t mean that there are no stars. They have been nursing a hope that you be the star for them and if at times you are behind a dark cloud, they know that you will brighten their lives. Rotary shares not only happy times but mostly stormy times that need your presence and your love. If they see this clearly, you will be the most important entity in their lives.

Share your life with theirs, your efforts to help them with them and your love for helping others. They will, in turn, share your enthusiasm and your selflessness with complete faith in you. That’s divine. That’s priceless. That’s stupendous service.

The idea of “Sharing” was generated when Rotarians found that the best results ensued when the recipients joined hands with us. It is not their willingness to join hands but our willingness to do so. The recipients may be overwhelmed by our desire to be of help selflessly and may be too owed to ask for our personal participation. It is for us to give ourselves to service.

A mighty king was so impressed by his Guru’s words of wisdom that resulted in a large and happy empire that he said, “Guruji I am so indebted to you for all that you have done for me. I want to offer you something in gratitude.”

“What will you give me?” asked Guruji. “I am willing to give you all the gold ornaments and treasures that lie in my vaults” said the King. Guruji smiled and said, “But these do not belong to you. It belongs to your children and the queen.”

The king said “I will give you my entire Kingdom.” Guruji replied “but that too does not belong to you. It belongs to your people.”

The king was nonplussed. “Guruji, what else can I offer you? I have only myself to give” And Guruji said, “Yes my son. Give yourself to me.”

Friends, Give yourself to Rotary and share all acts of kindness and serve with others- the recipients, the colleagues and friends.

Rotary’s saga of service is like an unwritten book – all the pages are blank. We have to write upon each day’s page things which we do to serve others. These things must be laced with compassion and love and spiced with our personal involvement in our acts of service. Money may make a more go but cannot ensure victory. Money can offer many things that come with a price tag but unless we ourselves are seen at the work site and offer our personal participation, we will not win.

When, at the end of the year we look at the book we have written, we will only rejoice if we have served with ourselves involved in many of the projects we offer. Sharing is like the seat we enjoy occupying in an airplane. We may reach our destination without sharing but if want to enjoy; we will be much more comfortable when we share. If we determine that we will share at least one good deed with kindness we will never stop reaping the returns for a long time.

Rotary may find a project too big to be able to cope with but remember that you’re meant to share the load and if the community can share a little of the load, nothing is impossible.

A British newspaper once asked its readers , “ what is wrong with the world ? ”

One of the letters it received was from the famous writer , G K Chesterton. His answer to the question was very short. It just said , “ I am ”. The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it.

without doing anything. Are you to ready make a real difference in the world round you ? Am I … ?

The power to make difference lies within each one of us . If our faith is strong and constant, our effort to make a difference will be more than what we ever thought possible. All we need to do is to act as if our desires were already realities. To make a difference does not mean making a big splash or doing something that makes people yell “Wow!” Some people proudly call it ‘leaving a legacy ‘.

Making a difference is doing ordinary things differently. Are you willing to help a needy child overcome the obstacles of poverty through a sponsorship ? Can you put aside your indifference as regards those underprivileged and approach the HIV/AIDS affected with a little more compassion ? Have you ever thought of providing education to those children who are still out of school ? Have you ever considered of those children who die each year from curable, infectious and parasitic diseases as diarrhea, malaria and tuberculosis ?

Mother Teresa , was once asked “ What is the secret of your success ? Is it hard work, dedication , ability or discipline “ ? She smiled and said “ It is hard to say, but one thing I know , I love to serve – I love to give and if you give yourself , life will give you back something to cherish . You can make a difference in this world “

If we can share the tears of the lowly, we will soften our hearts , wash our eyes and clear our vision. They in turn, will witness our selfless desire to be of help.

Most of the have-nots are generally afraid to put their faith in the offers of help because many of them have an ulterior motive. They have selfish reasons to offer

assistance. When they realize that Rotary is different . Rotary is serious, Rotary has no axe to grind – that Rotarians can share tears and fears - then they give total

co-operation, unstinted faith and enthusiastic response . Therefore, never be afraid of tears that you share with others . That is the best cleaning fluid ever.

Rise in the eyes of community by sharing your time , energy and resources and make them know - Yes - Rotary shares , Rotary can make a difference in the world.

Remember, to the world , you may be just one person. Yet, to one person, you may be the world ! Therefore, let your presence in the world be one that radiates love, peace and happiness and in turn let the world speak for you !

*****

Ashokmahajan.com

Service above Self

Speeches :