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Your life's work is to give the world your uniqueness.
The holidays are quickly approaching - and it has dropped down into the frigid 60's here in Florida. The winter parkas and wool coats are in full swing in Paradise. It really didn't feel like the holiday season to me until being in St. Louis - when snow flurries began to set the season.
Stay with me today. A couple of ideas and images have been bouncing around in my head - and I think I can make some connections. Speaking of snowflakes - I have always loved the idea that no two snowflakes are the same. Isn't that awesome! So of course, like snowflakes - no two people are the same. Not even twins - not even clones - no two individuals are the same - thus the definition of individual ;) My question is - Have we ever really stopped to consider what that really means for us?
No one has your exact perspective. No one else represents the same collection of qualities that you embody. No one approaches life the way you do. No one can duplicate you - because you are unique!
Okay, hold that thought, I'll come back to it. This past weekend my church group sponsored a Spiritual Cinema event. We watched the film "Emmanuel's Gift," the documentary about Emmanuel Yeboah and his crusade to change the rights of the disabled in Ghana. Born disabled himself, Emmanuel's mother was encouraged to dispose of her child because disabled children are seen as a curse. For those who are not killed (10% of the population in Ghana are disabled) they are left with a life of begging because they have no rights. So, born with one leg, Emmanuel perseveres - rides a mountain bike across his country for the rights of the disabled - and in doing so is slowly changing the rights and perceptions of an entire nation.
While watching the film, I kept thinking - what is Travis' gift? Now, I don't mean, "What am I good at?" I mean, what do I have to offer that is a gift to humanity - a gift to the world? That can be a humbling question - but it can also be powerful as well.
Let's tie these two ideas together now. You are unique - there is no one like you - and YOU have a gift for the world!! Have you found it yet? Do you know it?
Or...
Are you still trying to impress or imitate someone else's life? Are you letting someone else define your abilities and identity - and are you settling for a limited idea of yourself?
If so...
WAKE UP!!!!
Stop crying - stop making excuses - stop comparing yourself to others - stop complaining about the past - stop worrying about the future - stop listening to the experts - stop procrastinating - stop worrying about your house or car - stop counting the zeros on your paycheck - STOP LISTENING TO ALL OF THE OUTSIDE INFLUENCES TRYING TO DEFINE YOU!
You are you...special, unique, limitless, perfect, complete, dynamic, beautiful, talented, compassionate, creative, intelligent, wise, patient, gentle - and only you can express these qualities the way that you do!
What is your gift?
In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy has the following definition for "man," MAN: God's spiritual idea, individual, perfect, eternal.
Individual, perfect, eternal. That is you - that is me- that is the woman sitting across from me here in the cafe. Does she know it? Do you know it?
Do you believe it?
If you are having a tough time realizing your gift - just drop me an e-mail and I would be happy to help you out. I don't need to know you to "see" you :)
Before I forget - Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so grateful for so much in my life - my wife, kids, family, friends, infinite opportunities, abundance - and for every single one of you who takes the time to listen to my ramblings. Read more from this blogger at Travis Inc.
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