Wonder Woman

(Submitted by Mitch Greene)

Have you ever had a moment when you’re pulled away from something you enjoy because of an obligation? There’s a family emergency, work calls, the kids need help with school, a friend needs you. These are common things that pull us away from things we enjoy. The willingness to walk away from enjoyment to help someone else is called a servant’s mindset. Being a servant is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to improve upon.

I have limits. You can pull me from the things I enjoy to help you….once…twice…three or four times, but after a while, if you’re not dying, you don’t need my help THAT badly. It’s my limit! I need my ‘me time’ eventually! Right?!

My mother is just different. My beautiful and wonderful mother can juggle the world in her hands on the daily and make it look easy. Temporarily pushing back your ‘you time’ to serve others is something to be proud of, but living your entire life that way is something few people can manage, and fewer can do happily. I couldn’t name all the things she has to do every day, let alone weekly, monthly, yearly or more. It’s not something I could explain because I can’t empathize with that level of selflessness. It’s absolute insanity.

Beyond raising and educating a grandchild, maintaining the appearance of a home and property, constantly fostering the growth and care of a marriage, and nurturing a dynamic and challenging business, my mother still has the time to answer the phone when I call just to whine that I’m overwhelmed.

Think about that! The level of selflessness and love it takes to do all these extremely demanding things for the people around you every day and still be willing to stop and listen to your son complain about having to do the very thing you’re doing for him. I feel ashamed.

Now, I don’t want you to think that you’re not a servant because you don’t spend every waking moment of your life devoted to others. That’s a big ask to say the least. I’m not saying you should compare yourself to someone in your life (most likely your mother) who is able to live that servant’s life either. Pushing yourself to be selfless is a great thing until it gets to the point of feeling resentment towards the people you help.

The craziest thing about this story is that I doubt my mother realizes how much of a servant’s mindset she has. I won’t say it’s not difficult for her, but what I do know is that she isn’t thinking about being selfless when she’s being a servant. It’s just natural to her because she truly wants to help.

The word obligation assumes you have no choice, while with selflessness, it doesn’t matter because you’ll do it regardless. What do you love? What would you do anything to protect? What are your goals? What would you be willing to do for your family and friends?

Don’t be a servant because you should. Be a servant because you found a reason worth doing so. When you need inspiration look to the heroes in your life; the people who serve you.

My mother is wonder woman.