Your gifts to the world

Each of us is born with our gifts: the skills and capacities at which we naturally excel.

These gifts aren’t things we painstakingly acquire. They’re inherent, a part of our very being from the start. We can certainly hone them, but the raw talent, the fundamental aptitude, is something we simply possess.

For some, they are intellectual, a quick mind for complex problems, a deep understanding of abstract concepts. For others, they are artistic—a natural fluency with a paintbrush, a musical instrument, or the written word. Still, others find our gifts in the interpersonal realm, a unique ability to connect with people, to lead and inspire, or to soothe and comfort. They might lie in a brilliant sense of humor, a boundless compassion, or an unwavering patience.

The specific form may vary, but one thing remains universal: everyone, without exception, has these gifts.

We often think of these gifts as a benevolent hand-off from God, life, or the universe itself. We call them gifts precisely because we know they aren’t the result of our own doing. We can’t really take credit for them; we were simply born with them. They were, in the truest sense, gifted to us. It feels effortless to exercise our gifts, like a fish swimming in water or a bird soaring through the sky. There’s a deep sense of flow and rightness when we’re operating in this natural capacity. This feeling of ease is a key indicator that we’ve tapped into something fundamental about ourselves.

But I like to think of it a bit differently. While it’s true they were gifted to us and we can’t take credit, these gifts are not meant to be hoarded or kept for our own enjoyment. We are just the middleman, the delivery mechanism, the shepherd tasked with getting them to their final destination. They are not just gifts to us; they are ultimately meant as gifts from us. This subtle shift in perspective changes everything. It reframes our purpose from one of personal gain to one of service. It’s a responsibility to the world, a sacred trust to be fulfilled.

Sometimes, sharing our gifts can feel like an indulgence. Many of us hide them away, convinced that to put them on display would be egotistical or showing off. We worry about taking up too much space or appearing self-important. This fear often stems from a deep-seated imposter syndrome, that nagging voice telling us we’re not good enough or that our talents are not truly valuable. We hold back, not because we don’t have something to offer, but because we are afraid of the attention that comes with giving it.

But what if we truly saw ourselves as simply shepherding these gifts from the universe to their final destination? From that lens, it’s not at all indulgent to share our gifts. In fact, we might actually think of it as selfish or even unethical to hold them back from the world. Imagine the cost to humanity if great artists, scientists, and leaders had hidden their talents away out of fear or humility. The world needs these gifts. It’s up to each of us to make sure they get delivered. To deny the world your unique contribution is to create a void that no one else can fill. Your gift, your perspective, your voice, is a vital piece of the puzzle. It’s a contribution that only you can make. The first step is to recognize and embrace our gifts. The next, and most crucial, step is to find the courage to share them.

So, what are the gifts you are meant to deliver to the world? Are you willing to embrace your role as a shepherd and ensure they reach their final destination?