#002 - Serve!

Dear Growth Enthusiasts,

I hope this message finds you well and filled with the spirit of growth and exploration. I am incredibly excited to welcome you to the latest edition of "Full Circle," where we embark on a transformative journey of personal development and empowerment. Today, we delve into a powerful theme that has the potential to unlock hidden doors of opportunity and fulfilment in our lives: "Embracing Service for Personal Growth and Empowerment."

Service is not just an act of kindness towards others but also a profound pathway to unlocking our true potential and nurturing personal growth. As we embrace a mindset of serving others, we discover a myriad of benefits that extend beyond positively impacting those around us. Allow me to shed light on some of the transformative advantages of starting from a place of service:

1. Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem:?When we engage in acts of service, no matter how small, we witness the positive impact we can have on someone's life. These moments of connection and contribution foster a sense of self-worth and elevate our confidence. As?Helen Keller?once beautifully said,?"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."?Embracing service shows us the power we possess to make a difference, boosting our confidence to take on new challenges.
2. Sharpening Skills and Knowledge:?Service offers a remarkable opportunity for skill development and knowledge enhancement. Engaging with diverse communities and projects teaches us to adapt, communicate effectively, and problem-solve in different situations. As?Benjamin Franklin?wisely remarked,?"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."?Serving others involves us, providing a hands-on learning experience that fuels our growth journey.
3. Finding Opportunities for Growth:?Many individuals keen on volunteering and serving others often need help identifying the right starting point. However, service is not limited to formal organisations or grand gestures. It can start with simple acts of kindness within our communities or even through our professional networks. As?Nelson Mandela?profoundly stated,?"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."?By seeking out opportunities to serve in our daily lives, we open doors to growth and personal fulfilment.
4. Breaking Free from Comfort Zones:?Taking the first step into service can be daunting, especially for those afraid to start or bound by comfort zones. Yet, it is precisely through these acts of stepping beyond our boundaries that we experience profound personal growth. As the renowned African environmentalist?Wangari Maathai?passionately proclaimed,?"In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called upon to shift to a new level of consciousness."?Embracing service helps us transcend our limitations and encourages us to explore new challenges.

How it started:?My first contact with service was through Dr. Richard Munang four years ago when I had just recently started using LinkedIn and Twitter. I reached out to him because my sister mentioned he would guide my quest to contribute to the SDGs and social impact in Africa. He shared his book?"Making Africa Work through the Power of Innovative Volunteerism."?In the book, Dr Richard explained that;?"Innovative volunteerism is pinned on the spirit of selfless commitment towards Africa's socio-economic development." It should not be confused with volunteerism. "With volunteerism," he writes, "you are offering your skills and labour free of charge, while with innovative volunteerism, you do something with your skills that connects the dots or fills the gaps in agro-productivity, and you realise economic benefits eventually.?

It was thrilling to learn from someone ready to teach me how to navigate the ropes, and his passion for social impact in Africa catalysed my interest and passion for service, hoping the dots would one day connect through my many acts of volunteerism and service.

Full Circle moment:?At Accelerate conference in June this year, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji reiterated the importance of service. He said, "Start at a place of service... greatness begins with a heart of service." From a reflective standpoint, it's only been five years in my career, and I'm proud of myself for my growth journey so far and for realising my passion and purpose. Serving, volunteering, and working on social impact/sustainable development-focused projects in Africa inspires me to be up every day and leaves me fulfilled at the end of each day, knowing I contributed to people I might never see in places I have never been and problem-solving a situation that will have an economic impact from my corner.

Mental notes:

• The dots always connect in good time, and the puzzles always fit eventually!?
• Don't stop serving until you serve kings and queens.
• Your acts of service will go beyond you.?
• Who are you serving?

Today, consider how embracing a spirit of service can profoundly impact your personal development journey. We provide invaluable life lessons, empowerment, and growth by serving others.

As we continue to explore different themes in "Full Circle," I am sure the stories and insights from the transformative power of service will inspire you.

Let's continue in this transformative experience together and create ripples of positive change in our lives and the lives of others.

Love, light & thank you,

Gloria.