Using Your Gifts
to Live on Purpose
Julie Jordan Scott

  
As Mari sings with her preschool class, one little girl is particularly zestful with the lyrics, stretching her arms out wide and belting out, "Cause you are SPECIAL, SPECIAL, everyone is SPECIAL, everyone in his or her own way!"  There is a boy next to her, his clothes are in perfect order, and he appears to be in deep contemplation of each word.  He is concentrating on the "L" sound as it rolls off his tongue.  Another child is encouraging the sullen girl next to her to join in the song.  Her face beckons to the other child, "Come on, this is fun!  You will feel so happy when you sing this song!"
 
Each child is keenly alive to his or her gifts.  Even while singing a simple song, they translate their gifts into how they interact with others.  The first little girl is an entertainer, the little "L" speaking boy is an administrator, carefully crossing the t's and dotting the i's.  The child encouraging the sullen girl is an encourager.  And the sullen one?  She is being highly emotive at the moment, perhaps communicating for another little one who is not as able to express himself.
 
"How do I know what my gifts are?"
 
"What do you mean?  I have special  gifts and abilities?  I'm pretty ordinary."
 
"Why am I stuck with this talent?  I wish I had his talent--it's much more appealing than mine."

Teaching on the topic of giftedness, I have heard it all.  People either are unaware that they have gifts, feel unworthy of using their uniqueness in a real live way, or wish they had received different gifts or abilities from the beginning.

Somehow between childhood and adulthood we often forget or misplace our gifts.  Instead of expressing ourselves as we are, we express ourselves in shoulds or oughts or what other people believe is true about us.
 
To cross the bridge to living more purposefully, and being mindfully aware of our personal gifts, a simple process may enlighten you further.
 
Step 1:
 
TIME:  Take time in quiet to ponder and reflect on your gifts.  This may be a time to pull out your journal and do some free writing.  Ask yourself the following questions:

*When did I feel the most alive to life?  What was I doing?  Whom was I with?  Where was I?

*Where am I the most connected with community?  How would the people I interact with describe me?  What do they compliment me for, say I do well?
 
*What does Joy mean to me?  How do I reflect joy back to others?  What am I actively doing when I am in a joyful state?
 
Step 2:

Tune in to Your Intuition, the Voice of God, or Your Creative Force.  Whatever it is that you "tap into" for higher guidance, use it to dig more deeply into the above questions.
 
Often for me, my conscious mind tells me one thing, but when I carefully tune into my subconscious or intuitive side I make some amazing discoveries.  God delivers me the greatest messages when I am not so busy talking myself!

Step 3:
 
Look carefully at your life, and make "tweaks" or adjustments so you can more fully exercise or express your giftedness.
 
One of the greatest changes I made recently is hiring a virtual assistant.  She is gifted in administration, one of my weakest areas!  So, I have adjusted my life and allowed her to express her gifts so I can fully express mine.

How can you do something similar?  Look back to step one, read over and  carefully review joy areas in your life.  These should point to the changes that would lead you to living more purposefully.
 
The steps are simple.  Time, Tune and Tweak.  All it takes is for you to say "YES!" and take action.
 
Let me know how it goes for you.  My delight is for you as you continue to live on purpose.

 

Julie Jordan Scott is a Personal Success Coach who left her career as a government bureaucrat and built a successful business in less than six months. She now combines mothering 4 children with inspiring people worldwide with her books, ezine, teaching and personal coaching.  Her website, unfortunately, is no longer functioning.

  


 
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Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable.  Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning.  I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives.  What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant?  In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard.  Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully.  Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.