The Virtues of Service: Reflections on a Meaningful Life

By Christopher Thomas Wood

The world seems to define greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you are in a position to demand service from others, then you've made it according to our celebrity society. This self-absorbed culture with its me-first mentality seemingly wants little to do with acting in service for others. This is much different from a significant life based on how we serve others, as stated by Jesus of Nazareth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781491782453

Christopher Thomas Wood

Christopher Thomas Wood was born and raised in and around New York City by a family devoted to service. He attended Notre Dame School, a Catholic grammar school and was taught by Roman Catholic Dominican Sisters and Franciscan Brothers, who helped further form his ethical core of service to the community. Chris’s higher education continued at Gannon University, a Catholic college, where he majored in Social Science and minored in Religion/Philosophy. He started his career as an educator in a private Catholic high school in California while obtaining a Masters Degree in Mass Communications from California State University and a Professional Designation in Finance from UCLA. He has spent the last 30 years as a professional writer and communications developer in the financial services industry, working in institutional financial sales, marketing and communications for a variety of large institutional financial firms. Chris has written financial and motivational materials for more than a hundred Fortune 1000 clients. He is the author of the book, Four Steps to True Wealth. His time outside of professional communications includes giving service to a variety of organizations that specialize in the enhancement of arts and culture, architectural preservation, and advancing equal educational opportunities for teens and adults. He has been active in the American Red Cross for many years. Chris currently lives in West Lafayette, Indiana, the home of Purdue University.

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Copyright © 2016 Christopher Thomas Wood.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-8244-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-8245-3 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 03/07/2016

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1.   Meaning of Life

2.   Conscience

3.   Faith

4.   Hope

5.   Compassion

6.   Contribution

7.   Enthusiasm

8.   Gratitude

9.   Open-Mindedness

10.   Fortitude

11.   Humor

12.   Understanding

13.   Humility

14.   Mutual Benefit

15.   Sincerity

Afterword

Dedication

"…whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant."

Mark 10:43, New American Bible

The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:11, New American Bible

Service Providers Who Have Inspired Me

Alexandra Wood, USN, Ret.; Cory Ruscansky, USMC, Ret.; Fr. James Wood; David Wood; Catherine Wood; Khalie

Aker; Jonathan Aker; Annmarie Gavin; Christopher Gavin,

NYFD, Ret.; Paul Wood, DCFD, Ret.; Dennis Barden, NYPD, Ret.; Rev. Margot Critchfield; Rafael Vega; Dr. James Mitterando, M.D.; Dennis Cerami; Charles Lorello; Linda Librizzi-Lorello; Rich Kosik; Thomas McGowan; Susie Istock Hanlon; Eric Frank; Ambassador Edward Gabriel, Ret.; Rep. Sheila Klinker; Katheryn Kurtz; Fr. Christopher Keenan, OFM; Fr. Thomas

O’Connor, OSB; Mary Jane Huff; and Kathy Lafuse.

Anyway

If you find people unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered, forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, interior motives, be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies, succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you, be honest and sincere anyway.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Foreword

Who Am I?

This is probably the most important question to be addressed at any stage of an adult life—twenty-something to eighty-something. The continued probing for an answer is a daunting task. The answer should come when placed in the appropriate context of where you are in relation to other people, creatures and the stewardship of our planet’s resources.

Consider also the following questions—Do you think your place in the world is established only for you alone? Do you see yourself as part of the lives around you? Your honest answers may put you in an awkward position when answering the initial question posed in the heading above.

If you have never considered life beyond your own, it may seem uncomfortable to reflect on life beyond the expectations posed by our modern culture and economic system. Such messages, both overt and subtle, are concerned only with fulfilling personal comfort, enjoyment, and excitement. There are