What a gift!

When you have a gift you want to share it and through that sharing bring immense fulfilment. But what if you had a gift to share and there were no hearts or hands to receive it? Or this gift was unopened, collecting dust and shelved somewhere in forgotten lands.

Frustration, a sense of having no value, no point, uninspired, loss of passion perhaps?

We all have gifts and gifts are to be gifted.

The gift we have is to be gifted to ourselves first. To get to know it, to let it feed and nourish us, to understand it and receive its essence. And this gift is naturally wanting to be shared, even if the sharer reluctant, it wants to be engaged in all the same.

Some people seem so naturally gifted, their gifts in plain sight. Others you have to look under the covers, get to know them and some hide their gifts, feeling like there is no one to receive them, no one out there who will get it, value it and want it. And there are those who are in a constant state of not being enough, they have to know more, do more, get more certifications and training before they can share the gift.

Any of these sound familiar?

Gifts, we all have them like I said, some are easily seen and some not so. But they are there all the same. When we think of being gifted, we tend to think of a genius prodigy because the world model has this idea that gifted means someone big or something we can make something from. A gifted mother will not receive the lime light she will for most go unknown. But her gifts vital to humanity and our wellbeing.

Sometimes our gifts draw in people who want to gain in indirect ways. Sometimes those gifts get captured and caged and become a monkey to the will of others. The creative fire dampens, as the gift is told what it can do, wear, where it can go, how it should be. The gift becomes lost in a confusion of appearances for others, no longer its creative essential essence as the rudder.

This gift wonders can I be myself. Can I just be me. Can I have what I want? Can I go the way I feel called to go? Can I change and evolve out of this shell?

Sometimes the gift feels stuck in a box all wrapped up, wearing the same wrapping, same ribbon, going to the same places, meeting the same people and longing for a sense of freedom.

Some gifts do not know they are a gift, they overlook it, thinking it is not much at all, perhaps because it is not so accepted in the society they live in. Not so many having the eyes to see and feel it. Some gifts do not know their worth, over giving or gifting to feel good, needed and a sense of belonging. Other gifts struggle in feeling confidence and showing itself to the world.

Sometimes gifts have expectations on them that are not realistic. They do not allow for failing and imperfections. Sometimes gifts are asleep, lying dormant not given the time and presence to awaken.

Gifts are abundant.

This abundance we and the world receives from a gift is up to our holding of it. The gift first must be received by the one who it belongs to. The gift then will naturally find its sense of place in the world. Gifts are not about fanfare, fame and material richness, though these things may come with it. Gifts are rather the engine to our existence, the expression of our essence.

Gifts…

oh so many. The world full of gifts, each so different, unique, no two alike.

The Tree of life that stands in many a home in December is placed, centred and dressed as a beautiful, sacred and celebrated symbol. A temple of life joining the Earth at the base and the fingers of the tree reaching into the heavens, where a star is placed. Reminding us of the dreams, the possible, the Great mystery and our origins. The base and roots draw this beauty from above into the body of the tree into the Earth. It draws the beauty of the Earth up through the body of the tree to meet the Heavens. We decorate this tree with things that we love, have fondness for and feel good. We look at the tree with brightness, gratitude, wonder, awe, reverence. And underneath that Great Tree of Life’s continuing source are the products of this connection to Heaven and Earth and the heart of life, Gifts. You, Me, We.

You are the gift.

Be it.

First to your self.

Then share it.