Everyone has Unique Gifts… What’s Yours?

One of the greatest tragedies in life is that so many live their entire lives either unaware of what their greatest gifts are or failing to fully realize these gifts and manifest them out into the world. Everyone is an inherently magnificent human being, and all people possess special talents that make them unique and valuable. It is your responsibility to uncover and develop these talents over the course of your lifetime so that you may contribute these special gifts to the world. And, the reward back to you is the sheer good feeling that you are bringing some kind of value to others. Why go through life only living a mundane existence, when you can live full out in bringing your unique value to others (and yourself)!

Are you challenged in knowing what your unique gifts and talents are? Our gifts are often directly related to those things that we are passionate about. Think about something that comes naturally to you, that when you do it, it ‘lights you up’. What is it that you love to do, or feel that you are pretty good at? It could be an athletic ability, a gift for music/playing an instrument, a knack for leadership, good at communication, art, mathematics or writing, or have a way with listening skills and showing compassion for others.

Here are some questions that you can explore with, to help you find your way:

1. What qualities are you known for by others?
2. What are you naturally good at?
3. Who do you most admire?

Once you have a clear path in identifying your natural strengths and unique gifts, acknowledge to yourself that there is only ONE YOU, and start (or continue) to develop the skills that improve and perfect your unique talents. Even if you admire accomplishments by someone else, and that inspires you to learn and model after them, you are developing a skill that may not be natural to you but one that inspires you. If it ‘lights you up’ and you become passionate about it, with practice becoming better and better at it – that’s all that matters!

If you had a magic wand and could do anything you wanted to do, what might that be?

Dream without limitations.

This mindset will further help build your self-esteem, increase your belief that anything is possible and encourage you to take the necessary steps to break out of your comfort zone. Getting accustomed to this ‘expansionist thinking’ will greatly support you to become a super-achiever confident in your abilities to envision possibilities and then possess the courage to pursue them.

Look at how many kids say they want to be president or an astronaut, only to become more “realistic” as they get older and give up on their dreams as they mature. As they get older, resignation sets in and they lose this “anything is possible” belief in what they can accomplish.

Avoid the trap of giving up on your dreams and settling for less. If you can envision a possibility, have the belief in yourself that you are capable of achieving it, and muster up the courage to pursue these dreams and (most importantly) stay on course with the commitment to break through any obstacles that will inevitability show up threatening to derail your efforts, you WILL reach your dreams and learn just how strong you can be.

Something that really helps me in times of conflict and uncertainty are writing down affirmations that speak to me. I write them down, sometimes playing with different types of fun fonts and colors, print them out and put them EVERYWHERE! So, they are constantly reminding me of my vision….in my bedroom, on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge, in my car on the dashboard…..wherever I will see them! I even put a friendly reminder in my phone…. Anything of real value to you starts first in your mindset…..there will definitely be obstacles that may get in the way, along the path of getting what you want, but these little affirmations really help getting there much easier.

Learn to enjoy the learning process and focus on the experience with the expectation that good will come from the process itself. Life is full of challenges along the path to our dreams and goals. By falling in love with the process itself and immersing oneself in a commitment to personal development, you will grow into adulthood with the proper attitude to prepare yourself to embrace adversity, relish those challenges (that I call ‘learning derails’, not stumbling blocks) – which only makes you stronger and builds your Personal Power! Welcome them…..as they are your teachers…

Follow your bliss….

As you develop the high self-esteem necessary to expect success from the pursuit of your interests/passions, you will become empowered to live your life marked by choice and filled with joy!

My wish for you is to uncover your unique talents, continue to develop and hone those skills, and turn your passions into profits. If you are doing something that you love (whether or not you get paid for it), that is the direction to go. And, if you can turn that passion into your profession, what better way to live?! In our lifetime, we spend many hours working….why not enjoy those (working) hours, as well as our off/play time?!

“Do What You Love, Love What You Do!”