I'm benefitting from the sacrifices and seeds sown by Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis, and so many others. Those of us who are beneficiaries owe it to have a season of service in which we try to give back.
Interpretation
We owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us, and it's our responsibility to give back to our communities.
This quote emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by civil rights leaders like Shirley Chisholm and John Lewis. It suggests that those who have benefited from their efforts have a moral obligation to give back to society through acts of service, ensuring that the legacy of these leaders continues to inspire and uplift future generations.
In practice
In a speech about community engagement, one could use this quote to inspire others to serve.
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God.
What volunteers bring is the human touch, the individual, caring approach that no government program, however well-meaning and well- executed, can deliver.
I've received many honors and I'm grateful for them; but I've already received the highest award I'll ever receive, and that has been the privilege and honor of serving very proudly in the United States Navy.
Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion.
Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.
And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.
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