Serving Beyond Ourselves: A Season for Giving

One of my favorite Peloton rides is “Sundays with Love” with Ally Love. Ally is not only a talented instructor but also someone who uses her platform to share powerful messages. Her Sunday rides are filled with spiritual music and inspiring words that often resonate deeply with me. This past Sunday’s theme was about serving others—a perfect message as we enter a week of Thanksgiving, gratitude, and family gatherings.

Ally reminded us that service isn't just for those we know and love; it’s for everyone. And that’s an important lesson, especially when our pride or ego can sometimes prevent us from both giving and receiving help. I know I’m guilty of not asking for help when I should, and my husband is often the one reminding me that he’s right there, ready to lend a hand.

This theme of service connects to my deep passion for supporting causes that save lives. Many of you know how important donating blood and platelets is to me. While I may never know the person I’ve helped, I know there have been strangers who’ve helped my loved ones in their time of need. That’s why I continue to give back in any way I can.

Side note: the Red Cross has a partnership with the show Friends for blood donations, and it’s such a fun and meaningful promotion. Donors receive two pairs of socks: one for themselves and one to share with a friend, encouraging them to donate as well. I earned my socks this past Sunday and am ready to pass the second pair along to someone in my circle. If you’re interested, all I ask is that you commit to scheduling a blood donation appointment with the Red Cross—whether you're in Nashville or elsewhere, I’ll happily ship the socks to you!

Beyond blood donations, there are countless other ways to serve. With Thanksgiving around the corner, have you considered inviting someone who might be alone this season? We all enjoy gathering with family and friends, but there are many people who find the holidays challenging. I still feel the absence of my own biological family, and it’s a reminder that some people may not have a home or a full table to gather around. I’ll always cherish the Thanksgiving I spent helping prepare a meal for a group of homeless individuals—a memory that filled my heart with warmth and gratitude.

And let’s be real for a moment: serving others isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s a struggle to keep a smile on our face when we’re frustrated, especially when the people we are serving might not appreciate it in the way we’d hope. Yet, it’s often in those moments, when we choose to serve even when it’s hard, that we discover something deeper about our own capacity for generosity. It's not about perfection, but about showing up, even when we want to scream or run away. The act of serving, despite our frustrations, can be a quiet act of strength.

As I sit here in a surgery center waiting room, preparing for the next chapter of my husband’s journey with his foot issues, I’m reminded of the many things I’m grateful for: skilled surgeons, good health insurance, and a husband who doesn’t stop serving others. He’s always there for his family, friends, neighbors, and of course, me. And it’s through his example that I’ve learned the value of both giving and accepting help.

So, this week, as we reflect on what we’re grateful for, let’s also think about how we can serve those around us—whether through acts of kindness, generosity, or simply being there for someone in need.