What if You Let Your Rare and Beautiful Light Shine in the World?

What if…? How would that change your life and world?

You and I, we’re rare and valuable like a beautiful gem. Once you realize how precious you are, you automatically begin to think about how to utilize your own rare value in the world. Make sense?

So, here’s a for instance. I have a dear friend who did her doctorate work in death and dying. Not my thing, but such a needed thing in the world. She loves to research and learn about ways to accommodate people in kind and compassionate ways, especially family members who have lost loved ones. Again, not my thing, but I appreciate that her sense of invitation to that is what I need to hear about, especially from her point of view.

The more you sense the rareness and value of your own life, the more you realize that how you use it, how you manifest it, is all your responsibility. We face such a big task, so naturally we sit down for a while. — Kobun Chino Otogawa Roshi

Then, I think about my different interests and gifts. Obviously, some of you reading this are writers, so we share that in common. I have been writing since I was young and figuring out how to use that for good in the world has been a long journey, and I don’t imagine my journey to be over anytime soon, but who knows.

In the meantime, I have been exploring what genres come easier for me. Short stories used to be my jam, but lately it’s been more academic since I am in a doctorate program at Portland Seminary. I also know that I’m a logical thinker so sometimes I can be good at writing manuals because I want to make it easier for the potential user. I’m not offended by that. I know that the way my brain works, I can take seemingly difficult tasks and break them down into easy-to-understand bits for others. It’s ok. In fact, it’s more than ok. I kinda’ like it.

But what about you? If you were to stop and think about the rare gifts you possess, what would be the top 3 that immediately come to your mind? Remember, no judgement.

If you like to run cables in the underground or climb telephone poles or run with dogs in Alaska, I say, “I love it!” It’s what makes you you! I adore sitting with people who are vastly different from me and asking them questions about who they are and what makes them tick.

The point is, what makes the world beautiful is not that you shine a different beautiful light into the world. It’s that when your light, my light and all the other people’s lights are gathered together, we can become a beautiful, beautiful bright light together that shines into the world … and together we are stronger and … together we can make a lot of good changes in the world.

But if you don’t know what makes you tick because you haven’t taken the time to explore that … why not now? Even if you’re a bit older, why not now? You’re still on this earth, why not give yourself a chance to let the world see the precious value you bring to the table.

You are only as shiny as you allow yourself to be. I think about a beautiful clear crystal gem, when held up to the light refracts and gives off a bright light. Those refractions are your gifts. I believe people have more than just one.

Leave a comment and let the world know what gifts you know you possess. How do you use them in the world? And, what other gifts do you possess but have not really tapped into?

May you know that you are loved because you matter. May your soul be refreshed.

sdg © Nancy Blackman