A Life Lived for Others

Have you ever thought about what it means to be of service? Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

We have all been born into the arms of men and women who served us - your mother who bore you, your father whose strong hand picked you up when you fell. Even if the only true gift your parents ever gave you was the gift of life, you have so much to be grateful for. Even if at home only your basic needs were met, you grew through the offerings of your school teachers who were underpaid and overworked and full of care and concern for you from the minute you set foot in their classroom.

As you grew, you learned to share. You learned to be kind. You learned the warmth of a hug and the strength of a smile that had the power to light up the room. Marian Wright Edelman said, "Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time."

When you shift your mindset from one of taking to one of giving, your experience in life changes dramatically. When your basic purpose in life is to give instead of to keep, you discover a wealth you didn't know was possible. If you're looking for a way to get more . . . give more. Ghandi believed that "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

There are times when losing ourselves would be so easy. Times when disappointment is unavoidable or when hope is hiding in the shadows. These are the times when we need to not focus on our own misery but instead on the suffering that surrounds us. There is always someone nearby in need. If you serve you will discover that as much as you give selflessly, you will receive even more.

There is no way to find out if this is true unless you practice it. The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales believes in the power of giving to others. As a 501(c)3 organization they began in 1914 as a group of women dedicated to improving Lake Wales and the lives of its citizens. Providing funds, volunteer hours and leadership in the pursuit of that goal over the past 107 years, they are a proud Chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales has worked locally to bring about positive change with an unwavering dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. They provide services and programs in the fields of Art and Culture, Education and Libraries, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Health and Wellness, Environment, and Domestic Violence Awareness. Simply put, they live the volunteer spirit of giving selflessly with love, honor, and respect.

Because leadership is not only about making sure you achieve your vision, but about lifting others up as well, the GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales is encouraging all women who are residents of Greater Lake Wales to consider leadership in becoming a member. Join the force of nearly 80,000 clubwomen who are actively engaged in volunteer community service in approximately 3,200 clubs across the globe. Diverse in age, interests, and experiences, all clubwomen are united by a desire to create positive change in their communities.

Applications may be obtained by calling 863-605-0200 or 863-438-8084. You may also email the womanscluboflakewales@gmail.com . Please feel free to watch our Membership video for more information.