As I turn my gaze back to my own country in preparation to leave Mexico and return to my homeland after a bit over three years, I am contemplating the term "service." To be of service to humanity is a finely tuned art/science composed of innumerable expressions.

Often, we fall into the instant gratification syndrome that prevails in our country, due to our instant service available. Instant communication, microwaves, drive-thru fast food, banking, online shopping, and the other conveniences that have enabled us to hurtle through a day with the speed of a photon on steroids. To what end? Living here, I have learned of a different way of doing things, of a rhythm and method that is kinder to body and soul. I will return to my homeland filled with the heart of Mexico, even in these days of violent opposition to all things Mexican, especially immigrants. This transition may be difficult.

It is easy to be afraid and therefore hate others because they do things differently than we do. We then think being of service means to keep them well away from us, to eradicate them from our presence.

Other forms of service are the military, the police, the clergy, philanthropists, telethons, the Red Cross, medicine, hospice, counseling, tech support. There are many ways to be of service.

I have always been a service oriented person. My dad has always chided me for giving too much away. I like to help, to be useful, to give comfort if I can. My times of service here in Mexico have been virtually in the moment. But it as been a two-way affair. I have been invited to participate, and the experience has left me filled. I have stood outside in the cold with a family waiting for a baby to be born. That was a seven hour wait, outside of the waiting room since the waiting room was full. I watched people. I saw an old indigenous couple wrapped in their blankets, sitting on the cement for their turn. I brought them hot chocolate. I saw a family come in that had been in a car accident. One of the women in the family was frantic because she didn't have a coin for the pay phone. I let her use my cell phone to call her family. I saw a couple of drug overdoses being brought in. I waited with the family who had invited me to the birth, waited and watched. I helped pay for the hospital bill. When the baby finally arrived, I distributed the chocolate, as is the custom here when it's a girl.

What is service? It depends on the person doing it, what is in the mind and the heart. There has to be a balance between taking care of ourselves and serving others. Whatever we do, I think it's great. And in the end, what gets done is more important than what merely gets discussed.