Last Saturday, our family participated in the California state-wide “Mormon Helping Hands” service project…and I forgot my camera!  What can I say?  Too busy working anyway!  Due to the current economic downturn, it has been challenging for local governments everywhere to maintain many of the city’s green spaces.  Volunteers helped city workers and park rangers to clear overgrowth, remove debris and in general, beautify community spaces.  It’s a great annual project and we enjoy doing the work as a family.

A few weeks ago, I got a sneak preview of a song that was being re-mixed to celebrate this occasion.  The song, “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?” has long been a favorite hymn of mine to sing at church.  But the rendition done by Alex Boye, Carmen Rasmusen Herbert and choir is so beautifully done that I wanted to share it.

The question posed is a good one for me to keep in mind as I review my day.  I love the organized days of service, but these are not the beginning nor the end of how we serve, just a marker along the way.  Doing it enmass with others is wonderful and serves the community as a whole, but doing small acts of kindness as an individual is a daily task that buoys up our spirit of gratitude and helps us to remember that the source of all goodness comes from a loving Heavenly Father, with Christ as our example of how we should treat each other and the Spirit that entices us to do good.

And so I remind myself:

Have I done any good in the world today? 

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad, or made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

Chorus:

Then wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansions above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure.

A blessing of duty and love. 

2. There are chances for good all around just now

Opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying “Sometime I’ll try”,

But go and do something today.

‘Tis noble of man to work and to give

Love’s labor has merit alone.

Only he who does something helps other to live

To God each good works will be known.

Chorus:

Then wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansions above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure.

A blessing of duty and love. 

 As far as I can tell, the best way to feel good about yourself is when you are in the service of others.  It is definitely a win win situation!