From time to time, I will be reading a book or listening to a CD and have one of those "ah ha" moments. I like to describe it as a time where all of a sudden, things start to make sense. Things that used to be kind of foggy in my mind, now come together. Ah ha moments always seem to happen at just the right time in our lives. These special awakenings seem to be there just when we need them. This time, it came to me through a book I was reading.
The book was an overview of the various gifts we as individuals possess. It said that in one form or another, all of us possess a minimum of one or several of the following gifts: hospitality, creativity, craftsmanship, discernment, effective communication, wisdom, influence, management, healing, humor, clerical and even entrepreneurship. The gift of motherhood, fatherhood and friendship are a part as well. These, to some degree, on some level, we carry within us. This is just one thing that makes us all unique and different.
Looking back on my own life, in my twenties and thirties, my life was full of things; jobs and activities that did not utilize my gifts. Today, I understand why I never felt my life had much meaning. I had not yet "awakened" those gifts. It was almost like they were sitting on a shelf waiting for me to take them down, dust them off and put them to work doing what they were supposed to do.
I know many people, every day, throughout our cities and our towns, are looking for their spot in life of where they belong or where they fit. What are they supposed to do? How do they make a living doing it and how can they find it? I will tell you this: One of the first key steps to finding your "lot" in this life is to search where your gifts are. What is it that you are talented at? The scriptures tell us if we will search, we will find. I believe discovering what you are good at is a great first step in getting there. Chances are what you are good at you will usually enjoy doing and that is a huge bonus.
Although I did not learn until almost twelve years ago what my own gifts were, I was not sure how to use or apply them. After much seeking, I made a discovery. The gift of encouragement is something which gives me energy when I share it. It lifts me up and gives me strength. It can take my mind off a negative situation and I become fulfilled when I share it. But that's how gifts are supposed to work. They are part of your core. When you use your gifts, you are helping to fulfill your life's work. If you know what your gifts are, use them to the fullest. Don't put them on a shelf and become covered in dust like I did. There are people waiting for your gift because it is from only you that they can be touched. If you will actively seek out this part of your life, I assure you, fulfillment in your life, job or career is heading your way.
Have a great Friday and an even better Memorial Weekend.
Scott Stewart
Author, Speaker and Inspiring others to a life of greatness.
scott@lovelossandgrowth.com
541-343-3614
P.S. Is your organization considering an inspirational or self improvement speaker at their next event? If so, feel free to contact me for future speaking engagements.
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