Using Your Gifts

I just finished watching a short video with a man who has no arms or legs, just a short partial foot attached to his body.  He is a motivational speaker, and I have heard him before.  He is nothing short of incredible and he makes the most of his life by being a testimony to the good anyone can do to contribute to the world.

We spend a tremendous amount of time convincing ourselves that we can’t do certain things for one reason or another.  We focus entirely too much on our limitations, rather than opening our hearts to the beautiful gifts the Creator has given us.  We muddle through life thinking we have no abilities, listening to what others say about us, rather than aspiring to an innate knowledge of ourselves that frees us from the rest of the crowd.  We gather up the thorns, mire ourselves in jealousy over what someone else has, and hold bitterness tight to our hearts until we’ve had a heart attack.

Our armless, legless man does not do that.  He’s going out talking to people and showing and telling that everyone has ability, and that they need to use it.  If he can do that, get up every day, be an inspiration, what can each of us do with a whole body?  No matter what you are lacking, it is no excuse to sit and vegetate.  You can think, you can help others, you can bring Light into this world by caring enough about yourself to contribute what ability you have, whatever it may be.

Some of you will say you have no ability.  You have no talent.  You have no gift. But I say to you that there is something that you do that is so special, so unique, that you need to do it to bless others.  Perhaps you are a gifted listener.  Perhaps you are a cook.  Perhaps you love to shop and can run errands for those who are homebound.  Perhaps you love animals and can volunteer at a shelter.  It may be ideas that you have that can make a difference in our world, or it may be service, or it may be the way you beautify surroundings or atmosphere.  You have a talent.  Accept it.  Do it.  Now.

Perhaps you have to do a little self-discovery to find what makes you special.  An old friend used to say to look out at the horizon, think, and keep looking until it dawns upon you who you are.  I say that if you sit with yourself, in the silence, your mind will take you where you want to be, where your abilities take you.  Open yourself to the possibilities.

If you need to get additional education, look into the funding you will need.  You may be eligible for a grant or loan.  Don’t waste another day.  Go forward on your Life Path and be who you are meant to be.  There are no excuses.

May you be richly blessed.