Everyone has gifts. Did you know that?

Sometimes when we think of a “gifted” person, we think of a brilliant artist, or a famous surgeon. We think that gifts are reserved only for the elite few, or someone with more knowledge or experience that we have. But this isn’t true. Everyone has gifts. Everyone is uniquely gifted in some way.

How many of us don’t seem to notice or even recognize that we have gifts? What is it that you do mindlessly without even consciously thinking? A gift is characterized as a natural skill, talent, or endowment. More simplistically gifts are; “things that others can’t do that we do easily.” Talents, on the other hand, are inherited or developed through training. Gifts as I see it are somewhat mystical.

WHAT ARE MY GIFTS?

This is a question you have possibly asked yourself at one point or another. And you may have decided that you don’t have any gifts. We exercise our gifts without even knowing it, we just assume that everybody has the same ability; but they don’t.

Everyone has gifts The first step to figuring out what your unique gifts are is to understand and believe that you really do have gifts. It’s not easy but take some time to name these gifts, then  acknowledge out loud to yourself that you do these gifts well. Pay attention and recognize when you are operating in a gift and give thanks.

So what are your gifts? Begin by making a list of your strengths. Write down everything that you are good at and everything positive that you know about yourself. These may not seem very special to you, but write them down anyway. Your list can have anything on it, like:

• I am kind.

• I am good at math.

• People like my sense of humor.

• I am a hard worker and a good employee.

• I am a safe and courteous driver.

• I am healthy and physically fit.

Put as many strengths and positive features on your list as you can. For me one of my gifts is storytelling and another one is adding humor. I love those gifts about myself because they validate who I am.

LEARNING TO LOVE YOUR GIFTS

Start focusing on these strengths. Pick out a few of your best strengths, the ones that you feel are the most important to you. Which of these strengths do you believe can be the most helpful to you and to others?

These strengths don’t necessarily have to relate to your job or position in life – at least not in an obvious way. If you wrote “I like to encourage other people” as one of your strengths, that is a gift that can be used anywhere. People in all walks of life need encouragement, someone to speak a kind word or cheer them on. The gift of encouragement is a powerful gift that you can use at home, on the job, and in everyday life.

By focusing on your strengths, and realizing how your strengths can help other people, you can learn to love your gifts. The amazing thing about strength – whether it’s a strength of character, an artistic strength, or even just strength in your muscles – is that the more you use it, the stronger it gets and the better you feel about yourself.

The more you are kind and gentle to people, the kinder you get and the more people are drawn to your gentle spirit. The more you write, the better you get at writing and communicating your thoughts through words. The more you run, the stronger your muscles become and the faster you can run. The more you share yourself with others the more you feel spiritually connected to life.

If you want help or guidance in growing your strengths or developing your gifts, please contact me today! I am here to help guide you and coach you so that you can be the uniquely gifted person you were meant to be.