I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

 

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

The quote “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy” is often attributed to Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet and philosopher who was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

This quote beautifully encapsulates the idea that true joy in life comes from serving others. It suggests that while we may dream of joy as something that comes from personal gratification or material possessions, we often find upon waking (or becoming enlightened) that true joy comes from service to others.

The final line, “I acted and behold, service was joy,” reinforces this idea. It suggests that it’s not just the act of realizing this truth that brings joy, but actually living it out through our actions. By serving others, we not only contribute to their well-being but also find a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness ourselves.

So, if you’re seeking joy in life, remember this quote. Consider how you can serve others in your own way, and you might just find that in doing so, you discover your own joy.