Our Gifts to the World
“When the gift I give to others is integral to my own nature, when it comes from a place of organic reality within me, it will renew itself - and me - even as I give it away.”
I used to start every morning with coffee and the news. On too many days, I shook with grief and despair. I mentioned this to former broadcaster and television producer Maria LeRose. She asked, what would happen if I did not watch the news every day? And so I shifted my morning routine.
I continue to start my mornings with coffee and the news, but I no longer read every news story. And I now balance CBC News with good news, reading articles in the Greater Good Magazine and turning to the Good News Network. I still question how we can cause so much damage to humanity and our earth but I no longer feel the world’s agony as intensely. I no longer think I should do more to change the world. Really, who do I think I am? However, I can use my unique gifts to live a good life and maybe make a small dent.
In 2020, I read a Facebook post by writer, psychologist, and mythologist Sharon Blackie, that spoke to using our unique gifts in the context of this bigger world. Blackie wrote:
“It’s taken me nearly 60 years to learn how to hold steady when the world around me seems to be becoming more crazy. And, in the end, it’s a simple thing, really. Though, like all the simplest things, it’s maybe the hardest to learn. It’s a sense of my own calling, of personal vision, of that unique gift which, like everyone, I believe, I chose to bring to this world at this time.
Focusing on that doesn’t stop my dismay, horror, occasional rage - but it helps me to hold steady in spite of it all. So if you’re feeling unmoored, just ask yourself - what am I here to offer, to become, to do. In all my teachings around ‘calling’ I emphasize that once you have a very clear sense of it, you suddenly find that you’ve lost some of your attachment to outcome. That doesn’t mean you don’t care anymore. It means your locus of attention changes. Instead of asking ‘What did I achieve?’, or ‘How much of the world did I save today?’, you ask ‘Did I give everything I could, and should? Did I live today in full expression of that unique gift I embody?’
The idea of that ancient notion that each of us brings a unique gift to the times we chose to incarnate, means that each of us has our own way to keep the fire at the heart of this world alive. We’ll never know the impact of who we are, what we do. But if we’re being it, doing it with our whole hearts, with everything that we are and might become, with all the beauty we can express - then I believe that’s enough. Because none of us can be everything. We can only be, who we are supposed to be, in this world, at this time.”
Do I live every day in full expression of the unique gift I embody? Heavens, no! Some days I even wonder if I have anything worthwhile to give. But I do; we all do. Parker J. Palmer wrote, “When it comes to life’s big questions, I have more questions than answers. But of this I am certain: The great work of anyone’s life is not about personal achievement. It's doing what we can while we’re here to co-create the great weave of nature and humanity that is our birthright gift and our only lasting legacy.”
What does this look like as we get older? Cicero believed three things about older age: it should be dedicated to service, our greatest gift later in life is wisdom, and our natural ability is to counsel - mentoring, advising, and teaching others.
Your offering does not have to be elaborate or monumental. It should come from a place of ease, of personal satisfaction. Remember, Parker Palmer shares that giving our unique gift should renew us. This can mean so many things - caregiving, reading to your grandchildren, being there for friends, helping a neighbour, writing a book, offering to mentor someone, or “simply (and powerfully) committing to being more you on a moment-to-moment basis as you go about the same family or work life you had before.”
What is your unique gift?
I expect you know your unique gift. But I know I doubt myself at times; maybe you do too. Here are some suggestions to help you identify your gift. These are offered by Lumenkind:
Take note of activities that give you a sense of ease. Often the gifts we possess are hiding in plain sight. We often undervalue or maybe don’t even consider our strengths as talents because they come so naturally.
Get an outside view of you. Get perspectives from individuals who know you well. Remember this is just external input. Listen for what resonates and feels true to you.
Seek the talent in others that inspires you. We are often attracted to the qualities we possess — even if (and sometimes because) they are aspects of our personality that are not being expressed. Notice when someone else’s actions or contributions inspire you.
Write down your thoughts. Choose any journaling approach that feels most comfortable to you, and know that simply writing down your stream of consciousness is a productive practice for gaining insight into your gifts. Be open to a range of topics. Once a week or month read through your writing and create a summary list of insights or themes related to your strengths and passions.
Take a personality test. A self-assessment tool is a more traditional way of checking how you see and sense yourself. Lumenkind suggests 16personalities.com, based on Cal Jung’s archetypes. I took this 10-minute test; the result was spot on!