Just like the packages under the Christmas tree, you too are filled with gifts. The challenge is that most of you are not even aware of all the gifts you possess. Or you don’t identify some of your qualities as gifts.
There are really four kinds of gifts. The gift you truly love, the gift that is comprised of several gifts that all go together, the gift that includes several items none of which go together and the gift you can’t wait to hide or get rid of as soon as the giver of the gift leaves. Let’s take a closer look at all of these.
Gift we love:
Like the package we open and know immediately that we love what’s inside when we see it, we can all identify at least one gift that we possess that we truly treasure. Perhaps you’re a great singer, dancer, artist, or you are great at organizing things, or you’re a great listener etc. Whatever this gift is, it is easy to identify because we are praised for this gift over and over. I have always been praised for my singing. People always ask me to sing at parties etc. and always remark on how much they love my voice. So this is a gift that I know I have.
Gift with many items that go together:
Perhaps you’ve received a scarf, hat and gloves or a teapot, sugar dish and creamer. It’s easy to see that these gifts go together when you see them together. But some of the gifts you have within yourself may not be as easy to identify as the ones in the package. They are there and while they usually support our bigger gifts, they are really gifts on their own. Examples of individual gifts that complement the singing would be perfect pitch, rhythm, intonation, and expression. They all support my primary gift of singing yet all are gifts in themselves. I could have perfect pitch but bad rhythm or great rhythm but be tone deaf.
Gift with many items but nothing seems to go together:
Perhaps you open a gift and inside you find hot chocolate, a thimble, a music CD and incense. They are all very nice by themselves but they really don’t go together. Like being considerate, organized, patient, caring. We often dismiss that these qualities are gifts. We assume everyone has them to one degree or another. I mean after all aren’t we supposed to be this way? Well, not everyone is considerate or patient or organized or caring. These gifts are all independent of each other and yet when you need to relax you suddenly remember that you can get a cup of hot chocolate, put on the music CD, light some incense and do some needlepoint. You all at once have everything you need to relax. Well just as that entire package is all there for you when you need to relax, you can pull together all your consideration, organization, patience and caring when needed as well.
Gift you open and can’t wait to hide or get rid of:
To your horror you open a paint-on velvet picture of Elvis or a grotesque nude statue that your brother’s girlfriend thought you would love because you were an art history major. You smile and thank them for their thoughtfulness but in the back of your mind you are wondering how soon you can hide them away or dispose of them entirely. Perhaps the qualities are: being critical, anal, controlling, chatty Kathy and more. You want to get rid of them and hide them away but what if it turned out they were really gifts in the right situation? I am very critical but I can pack a car in one attempt and edit with great ease. Perhaps you are controlling and use that gift to take charge in a crisis situation. Each of these supposed negative gifts become positive in the right situation.
Can you see how the gift you love might be negative? I often feel as though I am invited to parties only because they want me to sing for free. If I don’t sing they get very upset. Because of this, I often decline to even go. I am sure that is not the only reason I am being invited but that is how I feel in the situation.
Every gift has its time and place but you need every one of them to be uniquely you.
You are here on this planet to manifest your greatness and to share your gifts with others. There is only one YOU. When you are depressed, when you feel unloved, when you feel that you are not special, when your self-esteem is low, remember:
You are the only person on the planet that possesses the specific mix of looks, talents and skills that you and only you have. YOU ARE SPECIAL! In the entire Universe there is only ONE…YOU!
Use the God given talents you have to help yourself and others.
This holiday season as you are busy wrapping up all the gifts you are giving to others spend some time treasuring, nurturing and sharing the gifts you inherently possess.
The package that is YOU, will be the best present you give this season. You are truly the miracle of Christmas. Happy Holidays!
Debbie Darling, ©2013 The Presentation Pros