Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Tune in to your gifts.....


What is your gift?  What are the things in your life that bring passion and joy?  I used to feel conflicted about this but as I continue to think about my own gift I know now exactly where I land.  My gift is the gift of "helps" or service.  This is part of my personal mission statement.  The mission of "making a difference," offering random acts of kindness to others, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

I find joy in helping others.  Just like the whole concept of my blog, "The Starfish."  We can't make everything better but we can do our part.  We can try.  We can do small things with great love.  We can start with one gesture, one person, one family, one community.  This is what can create change. 

Maybe your gift has nothing to do with service or helping others.  We are all unique and have unique gifts.  We need to embrace our differences and challenge ourselves to explore and discover what brings us joy. 

The difference between joy and happiness.....

Joy comes from the inner-self of a person, and is connecting with the source of life within you. It is caused by something really exceptional and satisfying. The source of joy is something or someone greatly appreciated or valued, and it is not only about oneself, but also about the contentment of those people whom you value the most.
 
Happiness is an emotion experienced when in a state of well-being. The state of well-being is emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.  Happiness is simply the state of being happy.

Today I challenge you to tune in to your gift and find your TRUE JOY

1.  What are the things that you are passionate about?  Take a sheet of paper and put on the top I am passionate about......................  and just write.  See what you come up with. 

2.  What are the things that bring you joy?

3.  What are you good at?

Most people have a primary "spiritual gift."  This gift helps you define your purpose.  Discovery is the key.  I encourage you to take the steps to discovery and live your gift to the fullest.  It is all about the journey of discovery.  So tune in and discover......