When times get tough and life throws the nasty curve ball at you (that it's guaranteed to do from time to time) what gift can you call upon that will allow you to awaken, to arise and shine bright, to share with and help others to find their light again? Like the lotus that pulls itself out of the mud and the muck, is sheer determination your gift?
We pick up gemstones of life lessons along our life paths. We collect these little golden nuggets of wisdom and put them in our pockets, only to be called upon at a later date, to remember the moment and to be grateful for the experience and understanding that it brought, helping us make better choices. Sometimes we place our gemstones on a shelf, only to dust it off and lay it back down...knowing we are not quite ready for this particular lesson, on this particular day.
Perhaps your journey is you gift. Perchance you went down deeper and darker paths than others by experiencing addiction, severe depression, unimaginable grief or a number of other tragedies. This adversity challenged you to come out the other side wiser, braver and stronger and are now able to articulate your journey in such a way that will illuminate the paths for others along theirs.
Your hardships can be someone else's treasure. Don't waste the gifts you have been given by keeping them to yourself. Gifts were meant to be unwrapped, shared with and enjoyed by others. Isn't it time to bestow your gifts and allow others to benefit from your misfortune? Giving a gift actually has two recipients who will benefit from the joy of the giving; the gift giver and the gift receiver. Your hardships are merely obstacles and opportunities to grow. Up until now, they have been a gift to you. Let it be a win-win by giving your lessons to someone who could really transform their life with them!