When I was a child, growing up Buddhist, service was held up as the greatest thing.

It’s an honor to “be of benefit”—and, a pleasure. This isn’t just a Buddhist notion—this notion that putting others, and our planet, on equal or greater footing as our own desires is a fast track toward our own happiness.

But it’s tricky stuff. We don’t want to fall into doormatism, or martyrdom, or burnout. So we have to take care of ourselves, too.

And joy is held up, in my tradition, higher than mere exertion or progress alone. Sugata. Both, and. So let us serve with joy.

Read about Maitri, and Idiot Compassion, on elephantjournal.com—two vital concepts in this path of “If I want to be happy, think of others first. If I want to be unhappy, think only of myself.”

And this notion extends to public service. Government isn’t evil. Neither are rich folks, or corporations. Government that is efficient is better than government that is merely weak. A weak government often simply makes room for corporate greed, takeover of national parks and other public resources, and the gutting of education.

So let’s all come together and support the preservation or regeneration of an efficient government that also serves. Future generations literally depend upon our kind intentions and thoughtful actions, now.