It’s Your Duty to Fully Develop Your Unique Talents and Gifts

I’m often asked how I came to have such a
positive outlook on things. First, let me assure
you, I have my moments where my rose colored
glasses are a bit dimmer then I’d like them to be.
That said, I do make a point to see the positive
side of life whenever possible (and yes, I do
believe, from my own life experience, and
studying the lives of many others through the
work I do that it’s a choice we make). Depending
on what each individual person has gone through
in their life, perhaps an easier choice then for
some, but a choice none the less.
That said…
There are any number of things I do, and have
done over the years to help me remain focused on
the good things which life affords us, but if I
had to key in on one thing that laid a foundation
for my positive outlook, I believe I would have to
point to how fortunate I was, from as early as I
can remember, to have heard my mother say to
me, “Josh, you have unique GOD given talents and
gifts — but it’s up to you to explore those and
develop them to the best of your ability.”
Sometimes I heard it just like that, other times
it took a different form, but the message, the
powerful meaning of the message was always the
same.
If you know my story you know that I’ve had my
share of adversities and challenges. Friend, I can
say without a doubt that having that important
foundation in place — having fully accepted that
I had unique talents, that I was not only capable
of developing, but that I in-fact was expected to
fully develop, helped me tremendously in having
the fortitude to move past life’s challenges as
they appeared, knowing that I had in me, or was
capable of acquiring whatever skills I needed in
order to accomplish my greater good.
If you were lucky to have had a similar such gift
from people in your life, those who took the time
to encourage you, take a moment to appreciate it
in full. Not everyone is so lucky.
If you’re not fortunate to have had the type of
positive influence I’ve outlined above, first, allow
me to assure you, it’s true for you as well. If
you’ve never heard it before, well
congratulations, you have now, and as such you
have the duty to fully develop your own gifts and
talents — not partially, but to the absolute best
of your ability. And don’t think you get a pass
either, because you are just now being tasked
with the idea of getting on with uncovering your
talents.
The point isn’t when you find out — as much as
that when you do, you get on with the most
important task of doing what’s necessary to fully
make use of those incredible gifts and talents
which GOD has loaned to you. Friend, as you
begin to fully develop your talents you will
inevitably begin to experience a deep fulfillment
for having done so. It’s quite the rush.
By the way, I understand that you may not
subscribe to what I’m suggesting here – that’s
fine. We’re all entitled to our own beliefs – I
appreciate that we’re all individuals and have
varying views. I’m not here to change your
personal belief system, rather I’m sharing with
you my own experience knowing full well that you
can either agree or disagree — that said, I know
what I believe and know what I’ve seen play out
time, and time again, and yes, in case you’re
wondering I have also seen it play out in the lives
of those who starting out didn’t believe they had
any special gifts in the least, yet in time as they
went about being open to the idea, and working
to develop them came to believe because the
truth in the idea played out before their very
eyes.
In summary, if what I’ve shared here with you is
a new concept, that’s OK, but don’t put off the
idea that you’ve got greatness in you and as you
begin the ongoing journey of living out your
greatness through your commitment to
developing those truly special gifts and talents
which were entrusted to you you will be better
for it.
Also, be conscious of the opportunity, and when
necessary create those opportunities, to
encourage others by letting them know that they
too have their own GOD given abilities, which
they have been entrusted with to fully develop
and share with the world. All sorts of powerful
things happen when you encourage others in this
way — and that I can tell you as it is something
I’ve seen play out beyond my wildest dreams
through the work I do — not the least of which is
an incredible sense of fulfillment that you simply
can’t put a price tag on.