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In January, my doctor friend sent me a text.
"You should volunteer for this. They said they need organized non-medical people, and you are the most organized non-medical person I know."
She was talking about vaccine clinics. I couldn't fill out the volunteer form fast enough.
My motivation? Me. 100% pure, selfish me.
I had to get out of my house and be among the peoples. As an extrovert in an introverted household, COVID has been parched. Being part of the action and around people I don't already know sounded like heaven. The vaccine clinics have filled a dinner party-sized hole in my life.
I'm also a great volunteer. I'm enthusiastic and friendly. I take direction and do what I'm told. My schedule is flexible so I'm available. I can talk to anyone and handle stress. I recruit friends. I bring muffins. I serve.
People have told me how grateful they are for my service, and at first I felt a little guilty because I knew I was there for the socializing.
Then it dawned on me. Both things can be true. In fact, self-interest and service are the perfect pairing.
Service is easier when you feel like you have skin in the game. It's more fun. You're more motivated. You are free from any sense of martyrdom or self-importance which keeps your eye on the prize - socializing service.
As your world starts to open to include a wider view, where can you pair your self-interest with service?
It's a lot of fun.