Many of us hold a limited and limiting definition of talent, believing talent to mean special skill in art, athletics and academics. This narrow understanding can restrict learning ability, performance, and happiness in all aspects of life.

During 1999-2000, I visited classrooms in a variety of school settings throughout America, where I read my book, The Twelve Gifts of Birth. I then engaged the children in discussion about their inner resources of strength, compassion, beauty, and other human capacities, including the gift of talent.

Everywhere I went, I asked children to tell me about their gift of talent. In every classroom, hands shot up, and I got answers like, “I can draw.  I can sing. I’m good at baseball. I’m good at swimming. I’m good at math. I’m good at spelling.”

In nearly every classroom, there were a few students who hesitated to name a talent or did not did claim one at all.

Next, I asked, “What do you love to do? What makes you happy?”

Then, every child showed eagerness and enthusiasm. And, I heard answers like, “I’m good at taking care of my baby brother; I can make people laugh; I’m good at putting puzzles together; I like to look at the stars; I know sign language; I love my dog; I can twirl my tongue; I can put my legs behind my head!”

These answers demonstrate that, by approaching talent in a broader way and asking about likes and abilities, children readily begin to see the notion of talent in a broader way and they see themselves as “talented,” which usually leads to an increased sense of value, self-worth, and potential for learning.

Whenever I lead this expanded activity, I observe what appears to be heightened happiness and a greater sense of respect for self and others.

So, I’m suggesting three ideas to help expand the limited, common view of talent that is prevalent in our culture:

1.  Let’s start using a new word: Talentry.  The word talent is well established as primarily related to the 3 A’s… academics, athletics, and the arts. It is probably easier to use a new word than to try to expand the meaning of an existing one. Talentry could be that word, meaning “the mix of abilities and interests that exist in any and every human’s makeup.”

2. I invite you to make a Talent Tree. Start with a blank “Talent Tree” for yourself and one for each person doing this activity, if you are doing this with others. You can draw your own trees with a simple trunk and straight lines for branches. Use the one provided here as an example. The idea is to fill in the branches, one-by-one, with aspects of a person’s own, unique talentry. Brainstorm. What comes easy? What brings joy? What do you love to do? What do you care about? These are the clues for aspects of one’s talentry. Note everything that comes up. Have fun with this. The purpose is to expand appreciation of all our traits, not judge anything as “unimportant.” Nothing is too small in this quest. The sample “Talent Tree” in process here is meant to be a guide.

3. Fill in as many branches as you can. Then, be on the look-out.  Make it a game. Continue to add all those seemingly small qualities and interests to your Talent Tree.

I believe that when we all get this expanded view of talent … when we see that every person has and IS a unique expression of talentry … we will all begin to experience more reverence and joy in our hearts as well as greater success in the world.

“Put your right foot in…”

Take some step toward a dream.

Shake things up.

Before you know it, we’ll have turned ourselves around and be putting our whole selves in!

Even during sad times, joy is always present in us. No matter what is happening in our lives, we can tap into joy and be nourished by it.

One way to access joy is to watch for little, inner uplifts each day. Even teeny tiny stirrings in the heart are a sign of the presence of joy. Paying attention and noticing subtle uplifts can lead to gratitude which opens the flow of joy from a trickle to a stream.

Notice at least one (seemingly) small uplift today. You may even find yourself filled with delight! Six white ducks showing up among the mallards did that for me.

Wishing you a day of sweet surprises and discoveries. May you en-JOY them!

Have you ever said this to someone in a challenging situation? Has anyone said this to you?

This idea and intention to “hold the light” seems to be growing as a common expression. I hear it as another way of saying, “I care” and “I’ll pray for you” when we feel empathy for the hurt a loved one is experiencing.

But what does it mean?

And exactly how do we “hold the light” for someone?

I was asking these questions when a clear image suddenly came into my mind.

I saw myself in a small, simple, windowless room. I was standing at the head of bed, holding a candle. In the bed was a friend who was experiencing deep emotional pain. At the foot of the bed was another woman, standing by.

And I got it.

Yes, my friend was in pain… laboring with pain. And it was because she was about to give birth to something new and wondrous in her life! The woman at the foot of the bed was an angel present to facilitate with the birthing.

My role was simply to stand at the head of the bed and… well, just hold the light, without fretting, worrying, or getting in the way. I watched as a golden glow filled the room and bathed each of us in the energy of love.

I now use this image whenever I am privileged to hear the courageous sharing from a family member or friend who confides a challenge regarding their health, or finances, work, or in a relationship, whatever…. I trust that in every challenge there is something ready to be born, something new, something wondrous… something to welcome into the world.

With deep respect for our friends and their birthings, we can stand by them in this way, holding the light.

Does this resonate with you? Do you have another visual image that represents “holding the light?” If so, please share it. Visualizations can help make our intentions more real, anchor them, and add energy to our caring intentions.

When I wake in Sedona and look out from my bed, I can readily see the formation known as Coffee Pot Rock.”

Like many of Sedona’s Red Rocks, this one is named for what it resembles.

Can you see what looks like an old-style, percolating coffee pot at the far-right end of the elevated range? (You may need to use your gift of Imagination.)

Recently, when I woke, Coffee Pot Rock was not there!

At least it appeared to “not be there” because a heavy fog rested right on the tree tops and covered the entire rock range. (Notice the seeming “absence” of the Red Rocks in the second photo.)

In a few hours, the vapor lifted, and I could once again plainly see the Red Rocks.

Meanwhile, while the rocks remained hidden from view, I was reminded of how our inner gifts can seem to be absent.

In fact, it was a morning when I felt empty of Joy.

I saw this illusion of the rocks missing, along with knowing that the giant formations were indeed present, as a symbol of Faith, which led to feeling of gratitude and on to a stirring of Joy.

Anytime we experience the “absence” of Joy or Love or Faith… any of our inner resources… we can remember that that experience is an illusion… like the missing rocks.

Just like the Red Rocks existing, as they have, for millions of years,

the gifts of Life exist in us, always.

Consider letting this be a symbol of Faith for you, too.

Have you ever said, “I’ve got too much on my plate?”

Several years ago, while I was promoting a new book and traveling around the Midwest, I voiced that to Rev. Ralph, a minister I met in Milwaukee.

“Well, just ask God for a bigger plate!” Rev. Ralph chortled. “That’s what I do.”

Although his response was offered humorously, and I laughed along with that vibrant man, I immediately sensed the power in his light-hearted suggestion. And, in that ah-ha moment, the image of a large plate popped into my mind.

For sure, it makes sense for us to regularly examine our lives with compassion and wisdom, prioritize, and postpone (or eliminate) some of our “to dos.” Sometimes we do need to remove stuff from our proverbial plates.

At the same time, it IS wise to ask for a bigger plate!

We are all capable of so much more than we are presently doing and being.

Asking for a bigger plate reminds me of the Prayer of Jabez. Perhaps you read the book by that name which was authored by Bruce Wilkinson, published in 2000. The bestseller is based on the 1 Chronicles 4:10 biblical quote in which Jabez asks God to enlarge his “territory.”

To me, the Prayer of Jabez is like asking God for bigger plate. That prayer is not about wanting more material power and prosperity, but about having limitations softened and capacities expanded. We can all benefit by expanding our consciousness, capacities, and confidence. Can’t we? And, we need guidance and grace to do that.

When, like Jabez and Rev. Ralph, I ask for a bigger plate, I feel less restricted by limiting thoughts, such as I don’t have enough time; and I experience a sense of more space, focus, order, peace, and hope.

Try it. Ask for a bigger plate. Picture one in your mind. And, see how it works for you.

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Chopped, you have seen at least one demonstration of an ingredient  being “repurposed” in cooking. Repurposing is similar to the concept of taking a lemon and making  lemonade, and yet it’s more than that. When an item is repurposed in food preparation, it’s used in a whole  new way. For example, taco shells in the dessert mystery basket could be spun into crumbs and used as a  cookie, candy, or cake component.

I find this show to be inspirational as well as entertaining. What will the contestants prepare using their mystery ingredients? How might they combine salmon and root beer barrels into an appetizer?

As I watch the food transformations, I feel guided to apply the “repurposing” principle to life.

Everyday, we are handed a basket of unknowns. Nearly everyday, that basket contains challenges. The assignment for each of us is to accept everything that is in each day’s basket and use it as best we can.

We might first moan and groan, as some of the contestants do, when we face something difficult to incorporate. Then we get to work, as they do, using imagination, wisdom, and other resources.

On that show, the contestants have access to a pantry full of staples. To me, that pantry symbolizes our inner storehouse. We all have essential resources available to us. Among them are courage, wisdom, compassion, and love. Using these resources, we can repurpose everything. (In fact, many of the champion chefs have said that love is one of their most valuable ingredients.)

We’re not all great chefs. But we all have the ability to take the challenges we’re handed and turn them into savory and sweet life experiences.

Here’s a simple example. If we’re stuck in traffic, we can transform the seemingly “wasted minutes” into time to strengthen our muscles by doing isometric exercises.  Or, we can practice deep breathing. Or visualize our dreams. Or sing. Or just be present.

What about tougher challenges? You might ask. How do we repurpose an argument, an accident, an illness, a layoff? I don’t pretend to have solutions to all of life’s challenges. Ultimately, we each need to find our own ways to deal with them.

But, I’m convinced that we can “repurpose” anything when we use imagination, courage, and love. Chopped Grand Champion, Madison Cowan, sure shows the way, with examples like his Waffle Cone Remoulade and, more powerfully, his life. Did you know that, for a time, he was homeless?

 

“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

 

 

 

I am always on the lookout for expressions of The Twelve Gifts.

Yesterday, at The Farmers’ Market in Winter Garden, Florida, I found several. I’d like to share three with you.  One is this delightful bottle lamp that features the word “Joy.” I see this lamp as an expression of Beauty and Talent too.  Another is the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross quote that accompanies this whimsical creation. The third is the woman who makes these unique lamps. Her name is Kathleen Bee. I saw pretty much all the gifts in her in the course of a conversation. If you wish, you can see more of her work by visiting: www.souljourneydesigns.com.

Consider trying this yourself…

Today, be on the lookout for examples of Strength, Beauty, Courage, Compassion, Hope, Joy, Talent, Imagination, Reverence, Wisdom, Love, and Faith. Like a child on a treasure hunt, look up, down, and all around. Look within too. And listen, with your heart as well as your ears. With the intention to find examples, you are likely to notice several. Perhaps many! Be ready to notice not only The Twelve Gift words in such places as quotes, advertising, conversations, and music… watch for demonstrations of these gifts in action. For even more fun, deliberately put one or more of these gifts in action. Let your inner Beauty sparkle… no matter what. Let the light within YOU shine!

Introducing…TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE

Do you know the original meaning of the word “touchstone?”

I was fascinated to learn this meaning and to understand how, centuries ago, certain black stones helped people to build wealth. This led me to look into the contemporary meaning of the word and to discover a way to use “today’s touchstones” to enrich my life.

Now, I’m eager to share this concept with you.

ORIGINAL MEANING

Around 750 BC, someone observed how a distinctive streak was left upon a smooth, black stone when it was “touched” by pure gold. By carrying about a black stone that held the mark of true gold, people could test the authenticity of any piece of gold offered in trade. One would simply stroke the offered gold item upon the stone and compare that mark against the first streak. If the marks matched, the payment offered could be trusted.

Those black stones came to be called “touchstones” because of the way gold was “touched” upon them to test for authenticity.  As a result of a touchstone’s ability to reflect true value, people conducted business more easily. This use of touchstones led to the widespread use of coins, which led to the building of wealth… material wealth.

EXPANDED MEANING

Over the years, the word “touchstone” has grown beyond that original definition and come to mean “an example of the excellence or genuineness of something.”

I’ve come to use this word, with its modern meaning, for things that reflect the excellence within humanity… things that help me to recognize the true value in you and in me!

I believe that, like gold buried in pockets under the surface in our physical world, there is great worth in the core of us. The wealth in us is in the form of strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith… what I call The Twelve Gifts.

For the past few years, I’ve been collecting stories, quotes, affirmations, activities, songs, films, fables… all sorts of things that reflect The Twelve Gifts and help me to recognize the worth in us. As I go about my day, like those ancient people who carried about a stone reflecting gold to help them make careful business choices, I hold, in my mind and heart, an inspirational touchstone.

AN INVITATION

I invite you to consider carrying such a touchstone with you each day…an uplifting memory, an affirmation, a quote, a prayer… anything that serves as a “gold standard” for your values.

We can all benefit by using today’s meaning of touchstones in this way. As possibilities are offered to us in the course of a day, we can evaluate how each choice compares with our highest qualities.  We can ask: Does this response reflect beauty, love, and compassion? Does it meet my gold standard? Today’s touchstones can help us to build upon the spiritual wealth in us and enrich all areas of our lives.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE?

In addition to introducing this concept, I plan to share specific touchstones. If you would like to see Today’s Touchstone from time to time, please visit this website and click on the gift box near the top of my home page. If you would like to receive Today’s Touchstone via email, please sign up for my newsletter in the area on the right of this page.

EXAMPLE OF “TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE”

“We are born to delight in the world.” – Carl Sagan

Yes. I appreciate the miracle of all creation and my part in it!

By Charlene Costanzo

Can you recall the first time you saw THE WIZARD OF OZ? What in that film made the biggest impression on you? For me, it was the arrival of the Good Witch of the North, gliding in to Munchkin land in a lustrous bubble.

That image popped into my mind this morning, as I was wondering: How can protect myself from negativity? How do I do that without isolating myself? How can I be fully in the world, contributing in positive ways, and not be pulled down by the fear, the anger, and the hurt I often see and feel?

I wanted to maintain the peace I was feeling after prayer and meditation.

Suddenly, there it was, in my mind’s eye, that large, luminous bubble floating toward Dorothy in the film and toward me as the viewer.

And I “got it.”

As I child I wanted to be in that bubble. I realized that…  I COULD!

In my imagination, I created a sense of being in a bubble that is filled with all the highest energies of life. I am imagining that bubble around me now. Its shimmering film allows all the lovely energies within to pass outward. Like a sweet flower, the bubble I am in is frangrancing the world with love. Yet, that film is tight enough to prevent heavy energies from entering into the bubble.

Imagination is powerful. We all have this gift. And we use it every day.

Consider using yours to create such a bubble through visualization. It’s easy, fun, and feels great!

Sit in a comfortable place. I like to sit on my bed, propped up with my back against pillows and my legs stretched out in front of me.

Close you eyes, or keep them open, as you prefer.

Place your dominant hand over your heart and your other hand over your belly.

Breathe in deeply. Exhale slowly.

Next time, on the in-breath, imagine that you are drawing toward you, the powers of strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith.

They are now surrounding you, sparkling with light and all the colors of the rainbow.

Imagine an iridescent film forming in a circle, a ball, all around you.

You are in the bubble.

Now, glide through your day, in a wondrous way.

“Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death, but to inspire yourself to life.” – Adele Brookman