Navigating life’s currents is a journey of discovering our gift, nurturing it, and sharing it. Many of us stumble upon our gift when the existing models in our lives no longer serve us.
My friend Dave’s journey from technology to history was not a detour but a path to discovering his true gift. He had no idea when he was laid off from a job he loved that a new life will open. But finding his gift, was like striking a match in a dark room. Everything becomes clearer.
Navigating life’s currents requires effort. For Dave, going back to school wasn’t just about studying history; it was also a playground to sharpen his curiosity. By engaging in meaningful conversations and pursuing his interest in history, Dave turned his experiences into nutrients for his gift. He joined a group of 25 people on a voyage to Africa to meet with its history. And although he had many business trips there during his career, he was able to see Africa from an entirely different perspective.
Our gifts come to full bloom when shared with others. Dave took his enriched understanding of empathy into the realm of volunteering, adding value to his community. By sharing, we not only make ourselves healthier but also turn our surroundings into a healthier space.
Doubts can cloud our vision. Instead of asking if people will appreciate our gift, we might focus on the healthiness it brings. For both us and them. Fears and doubts are natural, but they’re just passing clouds. The sky remains clear beyond them.
Navigating life’s currents can seem like a gamble. But it’s in such spaces that we make the existing model obsolete. The strong currents of the unknown can carry our gifts to places we never thought possible.
For Dave, the end of one chapter led to the beginning of an enriching story that he might not have authored otherwise.
So, what’s your gift? How are you nurturing it? And how are you sharing it to create a healthier world? In the words of David Viscott:
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift.
The work of life is to develop it.
The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”
In this constantly evolving landscape, each gift serves as a beacon of health and well-being. It’s not only about us; our gift has a ripple effect, expanding the circle of health further and further.
When we fight change and blame others, we miss important lessons that are always around us. This is where a different kind of faith comes in trusting that navigating life’s currents guide us where we need to go. Being self-aware also means accepting that the destination life takes us to may not be the one we envisioned. It aligns with our true self, not the fearful self that clings to what’s familiar. Instead of resisting change, can we keep an open heart for unexpected turns in our life’s path?