Seva Bahuti Maagan Thora

So its the new year! Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous Guru wala 2009. As part of a new year tradition, my wife and I do a praise report and prayer request. This means that we thank God for the things that He has done for us as an individual in the last year and pray for things we believe in receiving this new year. While I was putting down the list, this shabad came to my mind “Seva Thori Mangan Bahuta” (my service is insignificant, but my demands are very great). I do not do as much for God as I keep on asking in return. My input/investment towards God is less but I want more output/returns. The next thought that came was that I want to make a sound investment in the year 2009. 2008 was full of ups and downs in our investments, but this year I would like to invest in “Seva Bahuti Maangan Thora (More service, less demands)” (funds). This means that what I need in my life is more of amrit vela, more of shabad vichaar, more of the loving feeling towards God, more of service towards humanity, more of dedicated work (doing everything as if doing it for God, including my job, taking care of family and other responsibilities). If I dont get all this then I ask for it from the Guru. Thats what Guru says,
maagnaa maagan neekaa har jas gur tay maagnaa
Begging, begging - it is noble to beg for the Lord`s Praise from the Guru


This would be the ideal way to spend the next year. The only hurdle that I see in the way of following this is “me”. Hum Andhulay andh bikhay bikha raatay, kiu chaalay gur chaalee ( I am blinder than blind and am engrossed in filth of mind, how can I walk the path laid down by Guru). But I am optimistic about 2009 because the Guru promises that Satgur Daiya Karey Sukhdata Hum Laavey Aapan Pali (If the True Guru, the Giver of peace, shows His kindness, He attaches us to the hem of His robe).

Hope that this year is a year when we all come closer to the Guru in our day to day lives and invest this year in more Seva (Gur ki seva Gur shabad vichaar- Service to the Guru is to contemplate/understand/walk on his word).

Happy Investing in 2009!!