Are you Ever Done Serving? | Others Over Self®

Shelly here. We're focusing on selfless service all summer long. I have a guest with me today. This is our special friend Laverne Santangelo. Now Laverne is a fellow Army veteran. She and I have been friends for many years and we are a continuous support of peer support and just encouragement for each other, not just as fellow veterans but also as business owners. Now Laverne, every time I see you, you're serving somebody. She's constantly giving back to the world around her. And that's an incredible character attribute, truly, right? But you've had this incredibly fulfilling military career. And my question for you is, why aren't you retired? I mean, why aren't you just sitting on a beach with a mimosa somewhere? Are you ever actually done serving?

Oh my goodness, Shelley. I thought I was done serving. I served my country for 23 years. And God keeps putting me in positions to serve and keeps calling on me to serve. I've had a lifelong mission of serving women in some capacity, whether it be mentoring, honoring, or just providing support and a safe place for each other. I've worked as a volunteer at a pro-life pregnancy center. I've given time at Detroit Association Women's Clubs where I put together events honoring military women. And now I am so excited to be stepping up to serve as the leader of the Oakland chapter of Women Veterans Strides.

Oh, that's right, Oakland. So excited to do that. I'm hearing this specific passion for not just serving in general, but a certain group and how you're serving also. Tell us about that.

Serving military women has always been my way of paying homage to all the women who have served us and the new generations that are women who are stepping up to do the same. And I am just so excited to do that. It's just been a lifelong dream and passion.

Stepping up to do the same. I hope you're with us there. Thank you, Laverne, for being with us today. Okay, she's a licensed counselor and she's also certified as a trauma-informed yoga instructor. So she and I are working together on lots more content behind the scenes, and it's going to be heading your way all summer long. I'm Shelly Rood. This is Laverne Santangelo, encouraging you to think deeper about how you're living out that value of selfless service. See you soon.