What Do You Have to Give?

"Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly
possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating
what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't
have. It's so simple -- yet so hard for the human mind to
comprehend." ~ Bits & Pieces

Every year millions of us set New Year's resolutions to lose
weight, exercise more, manage our money more closely, eat more
nutritious foods etc. etc. We usually take a critical look at
ourselves and highlight the negative things we feel we need to
change.

Today, I offer you a fresh perspective on the idea of
resolutions. I invite you to consider instead: what it is that
you have to *offer* to the world that up until now you have not
been offering fully?

Let's make this your year of contribution. I would like you to
take a quick inventory of your natural talents and gifts.
Believe me, you have more than you give yourself credit for! Now
list one way you can use each gift toward the benefit of others
this year. Are you a good listener? Can you make more of an
effort to listen to others this year? Are you a talented
musician? How could you share your talent with the world? What
are you naturally good at and how could you give more of that to
your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your job or your
community? Are you a talented cook, or painter? Who could you
cook for this year that you haven't before? Who could you paint
for?

I'm not suggesting you spend every minute of the next year
giving away your talents! Just pick a few, your favorites
perhaps, the ones that would be fun and start with those. This
is a true win-win. You will feel great about yourself as your
talents are expressed (and appreciated) as well as the obvious
benefits to the recipient. There are a myriad of subtle wins in
this type of self-expression, not the least of which is the
potential for new or closer relationships with others.

Too often our passions and talents are kept locked away in our
houses or apartments and are confined to Saturday morning hobby
time. If even that. Let's let them out into the world! Share the
wealth of your talent.

Let this be the year you share yourself. Don't be stingy. You
were given your natural talents for a reason - you were given
them so you could contribute them to the world.

So, what do you have to give?

C2003 by Deirdre McEachern. All rights reserved