G is for Gifted

 

Golden Sunset

 

I’m not sure where this post is going to go, we’ll see what happens in the end. I have some opinions on the subject that hopefully will come together and make sense by time I’m done. Damn I wish I was a gifted writer!

 

Merriam-Webster defines gifted as:
1 having great natural ability: talented <gifted children>
2 revealing a special gift <gifted voices>

 

I’m not saying I disagree with the definition, I guess my real problem with this and most other definitions of the word is it seems to be used to place or define one as: above the general population. I realize that a special talent differentiates individuals from others, where I think the term falls short is the fact that everyone is gifted. A fact conveniently left out.

 

We all possess a gift.  For some, unlike me it is writing. There are people who hear a song and immediately start playing it on the piano or guitar; others see a beautiful statue where I see a rock. I had an administrative assistant who could remember thousands of telephone numbers off the top of her head.  Talk about a gift.

 

I guess where I’m headed with this post is it’s not the gift, or the fact one is gifted that raises some people above the rest of us. It’s how they treat it, respect it, use it and share it with others that make them different.

 

A couple questions to ask ourselves:
1 Do we respect the gift we’ve been given and explore it to its full potential?
2 Do we use our gift for the betterment of ourselves and those who surround us?
3 Do we share our gift with those less fortunate? A writer for example could help write press releases for a local charity or read a book to children at the local library. A photographer could help at a local charity or animal shelter taking pictures for their press releases or website. An artist could donate a piece of work for a benefit gift. The list could go on and on. There is no shortage of people, places or causes that would benefit from your gift.

 

Rule #6 use your gift.