Living My Best Life While In Service To Others – Deirdre Lovell
The Obehi Podcast is essentially for people to share their stories and inspire others. And as the host I have had the privilege of engaging in enriching conversations with a diverse array of individuals, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. However, my recent discussion with Deirdre Lovell stands out as particularly inspiring to me. Throughout our more than two-hour conversation, Lovell shared invaluable insights into living one’s best life while in service to others.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
Is this not what everyone wants in life? Well, we need to start from the beginning because podcasts are designed for people to start from their background.
Background and Early Influences of Deirdre Lovell
Lovell’s journey is rooted in her family’s history, where generations before her were farmers and coal miners. As she reminisced about her upbringing, it became clear that these humble beginnings instilled in her a deep sense of resilience and determination.
“The lesson or ambition for me is just to remind people how powerful they are, how really powerful they are, and how every decision they make is a power move,” Lovell remarked, her words resonating with a profound wisdom borne from personal experience. See the full podcast interview as:
Growing up in a time when African American communities faced immense challenges during the Depression era, Lovell learned the importance of perseverance and community support. Her family’s struggles served as the foundation upon which she would later build her life’s work.
Her Career Trajectory and Commitment to Service
Lovell’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. With a background in dance pedagogy, performance, and choreography, she traversed the globe, leaving her mark on stages from New York to Paris, Jerusalem to London, and beyond.
Collaborating with renowned artists and institutions, Lovell’s talent and dedication propelled her to the forefront of the dance world.
However, fate had other plans in store. A debilitating Achilles tendon rupture brought her performing career to an abrupt halt, forcing her to confront an uncertain future. Yet, true to form, Lovell embraced this challenge as an opportunity for growth and reinvention.
See also Great Opportunities In The Creative Economy For People In The African Diaspora Community
It was during this period of transition that Lovell discovered her calling to serve others. Embracing roles in documentary filmmaking and community development, she found fulfillment in leveraging her skills and experiences to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
From her tenure at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to her involvement with biotech startup, “The Jemison Group, Inc”, Lovell’s commitment to community engagement remains unwavering.
By fostering relationships between institutions and local communities, she demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration and collective action.
Of course, I understand that we all have different callings, and we have different capacities to serve. But why should we serve others, particularly within the African diaspora community?
Well, here are three key fulfillments people can experience by being of service to others. So, think about yourself and what you can do in your community as you go through these three recommendations:
Sense of Purpose and Connection Through Service
By engaging in acts of service within the African diaspora community, individuals can develop a profound sense of purpose and connection to their cultural heritage and identity.
Serving others provides an opportunity to contribute to the collective well-being of the community, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity.
Whether through mentorship programs, community outreach initiatives, or cultural preservation efforts, individuals can find fulfillment in knowing that their actions are making a positive impact on the lives of others. And this can strengthen the bonds that unite people in the diaspora community. What about empowerment and building up our agency?
Serving By Building Up Agency and Empowering People
This is one of the most rewarding of all. Service to others can empower individuals within the African diaspora community to reclaim agency and take ownership of their narratives and experiences.
Do you remember the famous quote by Muhammad Ali, “The Service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth”? That should never be forgotten in a hurry.
By actively participating in community-driven initiatives and advocacy efforts, individuals can challenge systemic barriers and work towards creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for themselves and future generations.
Through education, mentorship, and leadership development programs, we as a people can cultivate the skills and resources needed to affect meaningful change and shape the trajectory of our communities. What about personal growth? Yes, that too is important.
Service to Others Will Lead to Personal Growth and Resilience
Overly selflessness has very little to get us in the long run. Instead, engaging in service to others can foster personal growth and resilience. This usually happens as individuals confront and overcome challenges while working towards common goals.
By stepping outside of their comfort zones and embracing opportunities for learning and self-improvement, members of the African diaspora community can develop invaluable skills such as leadership, empathy, and cultural competency.
Rendering services to others can also provide a platform for individuals to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity, drawing strength from the collective support and solidarity of the community.
Now, as I think of my interview with Lovell and the huge work we need to do within the African diaspora community, I cannot help but wish more people could understand the key message here. By being of service to others we can experience a sense of purpose, deeper connection, empowerment and to build stronger agency for ourselves.
I strongly believe that through collective action and collaboration, we can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society for ourselves and future generations. That takes us to some practical tips. Yes, there are practical tips we can consider.
Tips and Helpful Strategies
Listening to Lovell’s journey, her commitment, and her resilience, I reflected on how her insights could be applied to our own lives. Now, here are some practical tips and strategies inspired by our conversation. Take what you think makes more sense to you from these five tips:
- Embrace Resilience: In the face of adversity, cultivate resilience and adaptability. Like Lovell, view challenges as opportunities for growth and reinvention.
- Find Your Calling: Discover your passion and purpose by exploring different avenues and seizing opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Serve Others: Look for ways to give back to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of those around you. Whether through volunteer work, mentorship, or advocacy, find ways to use your skills and resources for the greater good.
- Build Bridges: Foster connections and collaborations between diverse stakeholders to address pressing social issues and create meaningful change.
- Commit to Lifelong Learning: Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and growth, seeking out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills in pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.
Yes, there is another thing I would love to add, and it’s continued engagement and learning. As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by Lovell’s unwavering dedication to service and lifelong learning.
In retirement, she continues to enrich her life through volunteer work, mentorship, and personal enrichment activities such as Qigong and Embodiology®.
For me in particular, Lovell’s story serves as proof of the transformative power of service and the profound impact that each of us can have when we embrace our power to effect positive change in the world.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
