I’m sitting here with all the friends and family that God has blessed me with, still I find myself indifferent to the hand I’ve been dealt. Through a wide range of decisions made throughout the years, and recent changes, I find myself alone with many, many people in my corner.

Let me explain: Some years ago, I made a decision to join the Navy. I mainly joined for these two reasons: I wanted to build skills and I wanted to be dependable. Both of these reasons I would see in a lot of my friends and family, and always thought to myself, where do I fit in with any of them? So joining the Navy was going to make me something or it wasn’t. So far, it has, and still is making me something.

So why after 13 years of Naval Service would I feel lonely? That’s the million dollar question! I feel like I can connect it to this one “term” called service. I call service the ability to serve other people’s needs.

What’s the point of all of this? I guess I want to share my thoughts on service, and lessons learned. This is for selfless people. People without selflessness will not understand a sentence of this, but the selfless, they will understand it, and learn clearly from this.

Some lessons I learned about service is:

1. It is lonely sometimes, but necessary. Especially if you want to leave legacy, and improve some kind of standard in your life, or family.

2. Service makes you feel out of place at times, because it’s the road that not many travel on. Don’t get it twisted, because not everyone travels on the road of service does not mean they are going the wrong way, it’s just another way to get to your destination.

3. Service is not meant to be understood. It’s personal, and usually if a person embraces it, it’s because they really need to be under the tutelage of service. If not service, then trouble and misery will characterize them eventually. This was the case with me, and I know it’s the case for some like me.

4. Service is the thing that you are destined for. Some people wonder in life if they are doing the thing in life that they are most capable of. For those that bear the fruits of service, yes you are!

5. To the foolish person, service seems like a lost cause or a waste of time. Because you put everyone before yourself it may seem like you’re missing out, but the reward for anyone who puts others before themselves is great, it’s honorable, and long-lasting. Think about ANY instance where someone put the needs of others before their own…How did their story end? Probably a lot better than the ones who put their own self-interest ahead of everyone else….think about it.

6. Service can be dangerous if you don’t exercise balance. When you take care of people all the time, it is noticed. Most people appreciate this, and let you know in many ways to include kind words, gifts, support, encouragement, etc. But then there are the selfish ones who are always looking to gain off of the backs of others. The person who embraces service is a prime target, because they are the most likely to fulfill one’s needs with not much regard for their own needs. If you embrace the crown of service, learn to balance your actions with refusals, “no”, delays, tests, inspection, scrutiny, and wisdom. Take heed and adopt this, otherwise, you will fall into the plans of the selfish.

Of the many lessons of service, always remember that loneliness is going to be one of the worst ones, but you’re never truly lonely. Remember you still have family, friends, and others still in your corner as I stated earlier. We are therefore lonely, not because no one is with us, but because where you travel, few will travel. What you speak few will understand. What you do, few will see. But don’t worry yourself, because service can be lonely, but it is necessary.

– Deckplate Tone