Be Prepared to Serve

 

If one who understands the spirit of service becomes a leader, that leader will always retain and enjoy his leadership through service. - BABA

"Of all the animals that are born in this world, to be born as a human being is the most difficult and fortunate thing. Having been born as human and having acquired that special gift of intellect, you must sanctify your human birth and human existence. You must be prepared to put into practice one out of the ten things that you preach in preference to just saying ten good things. You must be prepared to serve as servants for all your lives. Never think of being a leader. Without becoming a servant you cannot become a leader. You must first learn to follow before becoming a leader. 

We find the world in an unfortunate state because, today, people become leaders without knowing how to become good followers. In that context, you must be prepared to spend all your lives in the service of humanity. In the first instance, you must serve your own home, then you must serve your village, then your state, and then the country. Without acquiring the ability to serve in your own home and produce results in your home, how can you serve your country and hope to produce results?

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 20.5.1976)