A Life of Service
Lao Tzu said, “To serve is to rule.” This simple statement epitomizes the type of career that I know would be most fulfilling for me. I do not want to simply log in hours to earn a living, even if the salary is more than modest. To me, true wealth is happiness, and happiness comes when you do something you truly love. What I really love to do is serve others while lighting up my own little corner of the world for the good of the whole. To be able to do this on intimate settings is even more precious to me, because relationships add the most joy to your life. The idea of working with someone intimately on a regular basis feeds my desire to not only be of constant service, but to also nurture the need for connection and closeness.
Sarah Knight began working as an intern at E! Entertainment during her last year of college, and is now a talent coordinator for the company as well as Giuliana’s Rancic’s own personal assistant. As I read about Knight’s experience, I was immediately inspired by even the possibility of such a career choice. Knight did not have any formal training, and learned through experience how to be a high-profile personal assistant. You become who you surround yourself with, and I have always wanted a job where I would be surrounded by the most interesting, successful, charismatic and unforgettable people. It was not about the fame or the fortune of celebrities, but rather the fact that almost every person in the industry had to do something that most of the un-famous never do: follow their dreams. This kind of inspired living could not be compared to a working environment where the majority would more or less be settling.
My heart swelled with excitement as I continued to read through her answers. She emphasized the importance of having a positive perspective on everything, no matter what it looks like on the surface. Knight described a positive, can-do attitude as not only essential, but wonderfully infectious. I was so inspired by the thought of being able to enhance someone’s life through diligence and service, through savvy problem-solving, and through the energy one bring sto every task at hand. I know, without a doubt, that this was a path with a heart. I could the fact even more clearly in the way Knight expressed her true appreciation for the job and how there was not any other place she would rather work. She not only enjoyed every moment with Giuliana, but also gazed expectedly towards the future. Everything really seemed to fall into place for her, with the connections she made at her first internship. Such simplicity and seamless progression were reminders to me of the unique pathway that is set before each one of us. There need not be force, strain, or struggle—except the good kind of perseverance. The fact that she loves waking up to go to work every single day shows me that it is possible to work for the joy of it, rather than for the paycheck. Her close friendship with her boss is something that is uncommon, and I was inspired to find a job where I could not only hone practical skills, but also cultivate vital, long-lasting relationships. The aspect I appreciated most was not just her travels and the amazing people she met, but also learning the value of a strong work ethic.
Something I always follow in this life made up of a million different paths is a line that Carlos Castaneda wrote: “For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart.” Every path I take must have a heart. And in everything I do, I must give my whole heart. This, I believe, infuses every act—big or small—with something invisible to the eye but felt clearly with the heart. Energy and intention affects the entire world around you, and my intention is always to be pure in mind and heart, to be of complete service, and to remember that what we do for another, we ultimately do for ourselves.
