When we're born, we set out on a path to cultivate as much virtue in us as possible, while starving the bad.

I've been on kind of a "near death experience" kick for awhile now. It was precipitated by reading (finally) Heaven is for Real, Proof of Heaven and Crossroads. Today I listened to a YouTube video.

I've found what I've learned incredibly reassuring and incredibly beautiful.

This woman was shown how everyone receives gifts, and told her gifts were patience and [inner] beauty. She sums up what she learned as "Your uniqueness is your value. And your value is your contribution on this earthly journey. And we work together with these different gifts, and together, that's when we do great things. That's when we change the world" (paraphrased from memory since I'm in a coffee shop and can't listen to it now).

It got me thinking. When I was a little bitty soul floating up there in heaven, what was I gifted with? What would God say were my gifts in that situation?

-inquisitiveness
-creativity
-humor
-interactions with kids/people with kid-like spirits
-love of literature
-resources

Looking at that little list drives home how freely multiple gifts were given. I did not earn them. I was not worthy of them. I did nothing to deserve them. They were given.

And I totally believe how much you use your gifts is commensurate with your satisfaction in life. I'm so fortunate that I get to use so many on a day-to-day basis to help others on their healing journeys. Because, you know, a gift kept in a box brings little joy.

But then, how have I used others of those gifts? It's so so easy not to use them in a world filled with inane distractions. It's easy to question your value when you're comparing yourself to the best of everyone around you. I think the girl is right on. The reasons we're unique are some of the most important clues to/reasons why we're here.

Using those unique gifts is what will give us the most joy and fulfillment. There are none that are better than others. Sure, to society there are some that are more valued, but to humanity...each one is important. They're all for good in the world, and sharing love and glory. My mom? She sits with the old men at church. She constantly invites new people to holidays. She takes people food. She cares. To society, she is relatively unremarkable. She's not an academic or a businesswoman. But to the world? She matters. 

It's good food for thought for me.