Connected: 101 Ways to Be of Service and Create Community

Connected

101 Ways to Be of Service and Create Community

ANDREA M. COSTANTINE

Copyright tmp_24934bc47dcc7d8dbdf7ead43d7cb699_hrYtOA_html_35c0aa95.jpg 2012 by Courageous Living, LLC

Smashwords Edition

Licensing Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal use and enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, please visit Smashwords.com and purchase a copy for yourself. Thank you for respecting this author’s work.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be used or reproduced in any form without permission by Courageous Living, LLC

Book Cover: John Driscoll, J Driscoll Designs

Editing by: Donna Mazzitelli, Writing with Donna

Layout/Design: Andrea Costantine

Author Photograph by David Weihnacht, David Marc Photo

eBook by e-book-design.com

Dedicated to my partner,

Roberto. Your endless love and

support keep me going.

This book is broken down into various sections

in which you can GET AND STAY

Connected.

Use this book...

• For inspiration and initiation

• To find opportunities to connect

• For new ideas to serve and create community

• To remember how you can make a difference

Read Connected from COVER TO COVER

or flip through and see what is calling to YOU.

Happy COMMUNITY making!

table of contents

Introduction

Neighborhoods

At Work

Friends

Family

Food

Holidays

Conversation

Children

Animals

Transportation

Around Town

Going Local

Nature

Environment

Charity

Believe in Someone

MindFULLness

Service to the Self

The 101 Ways to Be of Service & Create Community

Acknowledgenments

About the Author

introduction

Connected isn’t about technology, computers or keeping in the know through social media or the online news channels. The connection I speak about in this book represents our link to humanity—who we are as people and how we are all truly interconnected. It is about stepping away from a me-focused agenda and shifting towards a we-focused world. A WORLD IN WHICH WE COLLABORATE, SHARE RESOURCES, CONNECT AND THRIVE. A world in which we look out for our neighbors, make choices that impact the whole—not just our own livelihood—for the greater good. A world in which compassion, love and empathy lead and peace prevails.

Connected is the start to seeing and being a different kind of human being. One in which we take conscious actions, contribute to humanity on a soul level—without the need for anything in return—to be of service and unite people merely for the sake of bringing people together and doing good.

What if we lived in a world where every single person mattered? What if we all knew and felt that WE BELONG, that NONE of us ARE SEPARATE or disconnected and that we all have a beautiful, MEANINGFUL PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY and the world? What if…

This is what being connected means. It is action that helps us all see and believe that we matter—that we are not alone—and more importantly, that we can make a difference. Every single person can make a difference, regardless of your race, color, religion, wealth or any other factor. We can. But MAKING A DIFFERENCE ALWAYS BEGINS WITH US.

"I always wondered why somebody doesn’t

do something about that. Then I realized

I was somebody."

- Lily Tomlin

Creating a different world starts within and moves outside of us. It starts with one small change in how we interact with people. It’s compassion. It’s mindfulness. It’s patience.

I believe that all human beings need to know they matter, that they belong and they can make a difference. When we start to realize these three things—that we matter, we belong and we can make a difference—we pass that empowerment on to others. And ONE by ONE, the world becomes a better place. The more we give of ourselves in the spirit of service, the more we are all connected and united.

Throughout my life I’ve felt called to serve, but it wasn’t until recently that I CONNECTED with ways to be of service that are in complete alignment with my vision. Today, I joyfully seek to inspire others to create a sense of community through contribution, compassion and connection. I know that for each person who adopts the spirit of service in their world, amazing things begin to happen. No longer is the world a mean and cruel place. It becomes a place of compassion, empathy, empowerment and connectedness. IT IS MY VISION TO SEE PEOPLE UNITE. It is my vision that we recreate a world in which resources are shared and plentiful. It is my vision that any illusions of disconnection, loneliness and unimportance diminish with each act of service and community-building we make. It is also my vision that every person on this planet feels as though they belong—that they matter and can make a difference. EACH AND EVERY PERSON HAS A SPECIAL PLACE HERE ON OUR PLANET. When we honor our own divinity, we then honor it in everyone around us.

We all have the power to make a difference in this world. Each action we take and each thought we think impacts others. Every act and every thought becomes a ripple that is sent out into the energy of those around us—creating change one person at a time.

I must disclose that being in a place of service is not about sacrificing your own life and well-being for that of those around you. It is, however, about SMALL LOVING INTERACTIONS THAT HEAL AND UNITE PEOPLE. It is about seeing an opportunity to serve and seizing it. It is not about doing it all alone, becoming a martyr or resenting the ways in which you selflessly give to others. It is simply about finding ways to bring people together and creating a sense of belonging that reverberates through our communities.

The 101 ways that are listed in this book are meant to spark your inspiration. They are not meant to be restrictive or a culmination of all that’s possible. You can use this book in whatever way works for you, whether you grab a handful of ideas and repeat them or use it as a tool in which you seek new ways to be of service. I continue to put these into practice as often and as much as I can, although I have not yet completed every one. I may never. But I offer them as a gift to expand upon. Take these ideas and make them your own. Whatever you do, however, just don’t keep them to yourself.

I bring this book to you with great love and compassion, and I hope one day we will meet in person and