Martin knew it, Obama is learning it ... so do you know that service is the key?

"Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Service is the highest form of consciousness in the physical world. When we recognize our love of humanity, we do whatever has to be done to express that love to and with others. That is called service."
- Dr. John-Roger

Service is a hot topic in today's social and economic climate. President Obama is leading his campaign towards inspiring and empowering this nation to support and supplement our work and our lives with service and volunteering. Businesses are more and more relying on volunteer workforces to supplement their stretched staff and resources. And charities and conscious organizations all around the world are increasingly able to fund, and support their good works through an increasingly connected globe of people, courtesty of the wonderful world wide web.

I attended one such charitable and conscious organization's fundraiser last night at the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey. Celebrating their thirty year anniversary, the Heartfelt Foundation based in LA, invited world renowned comedians Louie Anderson and Tommy Davidson to do their bit of service last night - they each contributed their time and talents to the Heartfelt fundraising event.

This event was a true testimony to the true meaning of service, and perhaps further clarifies the term as 'selfless service'. The Heartfelt Foundation is one of a very few number of organizations that contributes 100% of donations taken by the organization to go directly to the recipients of their charity. Based on, and thriving upon, the generosity of a wide community of volunteers and funders from around the United States, the Heartfelt Organization supplies food, clothes, medicine, blankets, visits, time, energy and loving encouragement to people in need.

The Fundraising event was also attended by Founder and President of Heartfelt Dr. John-Roger, NY Times #1 Bestselling Author, and it was announced that Dr. John-Roger will release his next book later this month that is in fact centered around the value of service and titled 'Serving and Giving: Gateways to Higher Consciousness'. Service however is far from a new or trendy topic for John-Roger, having now established more than six non-profit organizations and devoting his life and resources to the selfless service of mankind for now over forty years. Literally.

It's clear and pertinent that our economy needs our willingness and generosity in serving more, volunteering more, doing more with the expectation of receiving less. And perhaps in this process, as Dr. John-Roger suggests in his book 'Serving and Giving', perhaps it is the giver that in fact receives the most.

And as is customary with Dr. John-Roger's organizations and his work, he is giving a free workshop to celebrate the release of his new book, held at the Mystic Journey Bookstore Sunday November 22nd at 5PM, joined also by co-author Dr. Paul Kaye. Having celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday a month ago, Dr. John-Roger continues to amaze audiences with his remarkable gifts and his presence, and his unwavering commitment to serve, uplift and support others. Health and schedule permitting John-Roger will also do a Q&A session with the audience at the Mystic Journey Bookstore event, which is sure to draw a sizeable crowd. Based on a similar event he did earlier this year, that means close to 200 people.

The event will also mark the release of the New Edition of the 'Spiritual Warriors' DVD - co-produced and co-written by Dr. John-Roger and his good friend and long time student, actor and filmmaker Dr. Jsu Garcia, also well known actor (Che, The Lost City, Along Came Polly). Jsu Garcia will also speak at the event on November 22nd.

Inspired or perhaps a little intrigued by inviting more service, more giving into your life? Join Dr. John-Roger with Paul Kaye and Jsu Garcia on November 22nd for their event. Full details for the event available here.