WEBSTER MAY define selflessness as having no concern for self, but givers in our community give the world and our lives deeper meaning. They take to heart the well-being and care of others and place those needs ahead of their very own. From public servants to quiet, behind-the-scenes workers, Shelbyville and Bedford County know firsthand the quality they add to our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On any given day, we meet them out and about. We interact with some. Others we never see, but without them our days would be dim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are generous, compassionate, thoughtful, and devoted with helpful hands and hearts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opposite of selfishness, selflessness unites us, inspires other acts of kindness, and improves the quality of life in all it touches. And the lives of the selfless are enriched as well. Ask them, they\u2019ll tell you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These givers are happier, have stronger relationships, live more meaningful and healthier lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better than a single financial investment, one selfless act of kindness can spark more. Lives are shaped \u2013 even saved \u2013 by a single encounter with these generous individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And sometimes, their contributions deal less with physical needs and deeply-felt emotions and more with making someone\u2019s day leaving both the giver and the receiver happier and blessed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies have shown that their brain\u2019s amygdala is larger. They read the facial expressions and emotions of others better. They sense and deeply feel others pain, fears, and hardships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While their giving is automatic, we can learn from them and make conscious efforts to be more selfless in our dealings with others. Perhaps it can teach us to be more kind to ourselves as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s look for opportunities to offer kindness more often. Let\u2019s seek out those that have touched our lives with their generosity and compassion and return the gift. Let\u2019s get up a little earlier in the morning or stay up a little later in the evening to interact with someone we\u2019ve overlooked in the busyness of our lives. Let\u2019s show up and offer a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s make selflessness the cornerstone of our community. After all, this is the Volunteer State. -GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WEBSTER MAY define selflessness as having no concern for self, but givers in our community give the world and our lives deeper meaning. They take to heart the well-being and care of others and place those needs ahead of their very own. From public servants to quiet, behind-the-scenes workers, Shelbyville and Bedford County know firsthand […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":68,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n