Dharma

My great nephew and me

In my mind today I'm thinking like Brittany Spears, "Oops I did it again." I haven't been able to write as of late because I've done it again. I'm going to ballgames, teaching at church, and being a youth minister. Some call it "burning the candle at both ends" but Sal the Dharma Gal calls it living with ALS not dying. It feels so good to live with purpose. I've given you a break back row so let's get started and no bathroom breaks during instruction time.

First, what in the world is dharma? Back row not the tv show, Dharma and Greg! It's what I've been harping on for my high school students in religion class each Sunday. We are trying to form good habits and shake old ones. We want to grow. Here's the definition of dharma: virtue, righteousness, and duty, especially social and caste duty in accord with the cosmic order.

In Sal the ALS Gal's world, I've been fulfilling my cosmic duties to the best of my abilities. God has allowed me to immerse myself in serving once again and I'm so giddy. My modus operandi is to teach. When I sleep, I almost always have vivid dreams. 90% of my dreams involve me teaching and the other 10% I'm playing a sport. Really. So recently I've been gifted a new teaching assignment. I'm teaching my great nephew, who suffered a tragic brain injury, two days a week. He's on homebound instruction. Searching ideas, planning a curriculum, and creating lesson plans gives me so much new life. In my brokenness, I've been given purpose. Smile with me.

Not only am I being a teacher once again, but I'm also going to share art and use it once a month at my beloved local library with local middle school students. I'm calling it Art Therapy with Sal the ALS Gal. Giggle with me. I'm so happy.

Now students, why am I so giddy? No, back row I'm not hitting the old peace pipe! I've been given the gift of service. I get to serve! We are all called to a purpose and that purpose always has an element of service. I encourage you to find yours.

I know your lives are so full of work, family, church, little-league, boy/girl scouts, and obligations. Somewhere in the web of your life, find a way to help and serve others. It can be through your job or life activities. Just find someway to help those around you. You don't have to visit a third world country. Seek and you will find a way to live a life fulfilled. Sal the Philosophical Gal knows a life well lived doesn't involve a big bank account, fancy cars, and designer stuff. It's about using your gifts to help others. Find your dharm aka path of righteous living.
Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Servant Gal

Quotes of the Day:
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Gandhi

"The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless."
Billy Graham

"Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals."
Kallam Anji Reddy