Servant of all... Always!

Valan Baynar

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So, we all get that Aes Sedai translates to "Servant of all", right?
And we also agree that that is an ideal we should all seek to live by, even if we're not an Aes Sedai. But, most of the threads I've seen here is about supporting campaigns, either with money or with special gifts. That is by no means a bad thing, but I'm interested in discussing other ways to act like a servant of all. How do you serve when you're not donating to a campaign? Volunteering? Small helpful everyday acts? Starting something new?

What are you doing that doesn't require specific gifts or money? How do you work towards the true meaning of Aes Sedai? I would love to hear your ideas!
 
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Polegnyn Nemeara

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Volunteering is definitely my preferred method of being a SoA. But I also have the flexibility (self-employed) and love working with my hands. It's also small daily things: holding a door for someone, picking up random litter when able, educating others by example, etc.

What about you? Welcome to the community, btw :)
 
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Valan Baynar

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Volunteering is definitely my preferred method of being a SoA. But I also have the flexibility (self-employed) and love working with my hands. It's also small daily things: holding a door for someone, picking up random litter when able, educating others by example, etc.

What about you? Welcome to the community, btw :)

Thanks for the welcome!
I also agree with you on volunteering and small everyday acts of kindness. After thinking about this for a couple of years, I think it all comes down to the fact that our abilities commit! As a self-employed actor/director, I don't have the money to serve financially (though I still donate to Red Cross monthly and chip into Worldbuilders whenever they have fundraisers). Still, I'm definitely able to serve in other ways. For me, that is what it means to be a "servant of all". Serve after your ability, strive to become better and always choose to help others when you have the choice.
 

Laurien Achaur

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To me, being a Servant of All means to treat others as I wish to be treated, to help however I can, to act toward others out of compassion and love, and to use my specific talents to give an experience to others. Granted, I have to make sure that I deal with myself in those same ways and to spend time alone with my talents, or else there won't be a balance. By taking the needed moments to serve myself, I am best able to serve everyone else as well.

Apart from these more intangible things, if money were no object, I'd be throwing it at every worthy cause I could as often as possible. But, like Valan...I'm a bit of a starving artist :laugh: What I have to offer those around me is my compassion, my music, and my acting, giving them all with the hope that I have moved even one person with what I am able to do.
 

Valan Baynar

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Apart from these more intangible things, if money were no object, I'd be throwing it at every worthy cause I could as often as possible. But, like Valan...I'm a bit of a starving artist :laugh: What I have to offer those around me is my compassion, my music, and my acting, giving them all with the hope that I have moved even one person with what I am able to do.

I can definitely relate to this!
 

Veluene al'Myr

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As a public servant (I work for the government) I find my work makes me feel like I am being a servant to all in my every day job. Each day in my role I am trying to make our township more environmentally sustainable and mitigate climate change. My days are filled with meetings where I am trying to persuade those with the power to give the environment department more budget, working with the community to understand their needs on the ground and working in partnership with them on projects, charming external large companies to lower costs for renewable energy and so on it goes. I feel very much like an aes sedai, perhaps a scheming one to be honest, as I am not against using all the tools in my arsenal to champion the cause. ;)
 

Elania al'Manir

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My out-of-the-box servant of all moments are when I stand up for myself and other fat people when we face discrimination, prejudice, and hurdles in real life. Whether that means calling out harmful language or asking a healthcare provider to get larger chairs in their waiting/exam rooms, every time I speak up it helps other people with large bodies like mine.
 

Maddie Vitalia

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I am constantly volunteering my skills and talents to help those around me in ways both big and small. Every day I am looking for ways to make life easier for others. Sometimes that means doing small things - helping a friend who is struggling, giving free computer advice or sewing something that makes a disabled person's life a bit more accessible. Sometimes that means doing larger things - coordinating a "community conversation" about how we can all come together to break down the barriers to employment for disabled workers or volunteering as Secretary for three non profit boards and my church council.

My faith tells me that my gifts were given so I could enrich the lives of those around me. In return, my life is also enriched through the joy I bring. For me, every encounter with another person is a chance to learn and to help.
 

Keisha al'Benn

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I think this changes as our circumstances change. I used to be able to both donate money, as well as volunteer time at various places. (PTA, Youth Group, etc....)
Now I am facing my own disabilities and challenges so I run a couple of support groups on Facebook and have become a kind of 'surrogate' faerie grandmother to a girl of a local family that is financially struggling....I coordinate with her mom and send her an 'anonymous' gift from Amazon for each holiday....usually include a clothing item and small toy item.
 

Trystyne Telyan

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I worked in a helping career. Currently suffering health issues, the most pressing should resolve. I donate a small amount monthly to both our food pantry and animal rescue. I belong to an animal rescue group on FB.
 

Veriendha ti al'Riaha

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I just signed up to volunteer with a local hiking group to clean up, prune, and maintain hiking trails throughout Missouri, USA so that they are accessible to more people and desirable locations to hike.
 

Polegnyn Nemeara

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I just signed up to volunteer with a local hiking group to clean up, prune, and maintain hiking trails throughout Missouri, USA so that they are accessible to more people and desirable locations to hike.

Thank you for doing this since mountain bikers share some of those hiking trails! :)
 

Veriendha ti al'Riaha

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Thank you for doing this since mountain bikers share some of those hiking trails! :)
Yes! I've noticed some elevated bike platforms in disrepair too, and repairing those is something this crew does as well :pleased-1:
 

Teavin Calayna

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I do my best to try and offer comforting words to those who need it or simply being an open ear to listen to someone's troubles and do what I can to help them or just be a shoulder to cry on. Part of my job is the reality that elderly animals I'm caring for might pass away and when this has happened I've made it my duty to make sure those animals are comfortable as they can be with their remaining time and give my support to their owners. General politeness is also important whether holding open a door or excusing myself if I have to walk in someone's way at the store. I want to get back into volunteering again at the no kill shelter I used to years ago and donate to them and other shelters when I can
 

Keisha al'Benn

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@Blythe Alawdin two weeks ago our aged doggy suddenly had severe respiratory issues and seizures....we had to make the sudden decision to let him go. I am soooooo grateful for the staff; they were supportive of us as well as our doggy. Thank you for your service!!
 

Teavin Calayna

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@Blythe Alawdin two weeks ago our aged doggy suddenly had severe respiratory issues and seizures....we had to make the sudden decision to let him go. I am soooooo grateful for the staff; they were supportive of us as well as our doggy. Thank you for your service!!
I'm so sorry to hear about dog! It's never easy to let a beloved pet go regardless of how many times someone has gone through it. Thank you for your kind words! I'm happy to give them the support and consolation I can. Pets are family and losing them it just as difficult as losing any family member
 

Alexr al'Petros

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This is one of my favorite threads...reading about each of your awesome work and compassion. It's sometimes hard / awkward to publicly disclose and share the generosity that we engage in our personal lives. But I thank and appreciate each of you for taking the time to do so; it inspires me and makes my days better. Gassho.
 
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I just signed up to volunteer with a local hiking group to clean up, prune, and maintain hiking trails throughout Missouri, USA so that they are accessible to more people and desirable locations to hike.
Very cool! I am an OHTA member and trail maintenance volunteer here in Arkansas!
 
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