Each of us has gifts, talents, skills, and abilities, but it is what we do with them that determine their real value. A gift could be a new car, ring, or watch. A gift could also be the love of singing and the voice to match. A gift may be the skill of being mechanically inclined, the talent of analyzing information, or the unique ability of computing numbers.
When someone is given a gift or present, it is an expectation that the receiver use the gift. It is considered rude and inappropriate if the receiver of the gift is not found putting what they were given into use. The truth of the matter is that we did not give ourselves the gifts that we have.
We did not make ourselves intelligent. We did not give ourselves the ability to draw, the talent of athletics, or the skill to understand science. So if not for any other reason other than respect for the giver, we should use our talents gifts skills and abilities to benefit ourselves, our families, our communities, and ultimately our nation.
We find joy and gladness in life when we do the things that we love to do. In each of us, there is something that we are passionate about. There is something that gets us excited regardless of the time of day. We each have that ‘thing’. While it is not always on the surface, it is there. Sometimes we may have to dig and move around some material to uncover our precious jewels of talents, gifts, skills, and abilities, but it is well worth the effort.
By using our natural gifts we increase the likelihood of being successful. Engaging in stimulating activity drives a man to overcome obstacles and challenges so that he can successfully achieve his desired outcome. It is through this process that we will effectively meet our responsibilities as the head of our home, community, and nation.
As men, we know instinctively, whether practiced or not, that we are to be the main provider of income in our homes. It is a standard expectation in many cultures, but for many reasons, this standard has been strayed from. It is an underlying principle that cannot be denied.
As we travel through time and face the challenges of a troublesome economy, men will only be able to maintain their position as the main provider by tapping into their gifts, talents, skills, and abilities. These traits are available for men to use so that they can successfully fulfill their role.
Unfortunately, we often do what we have to do to survive, as opposed to doing the things that we love to do. We have to put ‘bread on the table’, so we take jobs that satisfy our economic needs. The sad reality is that too often these jobs allow us to take care of our responsibilities, but in the long run they give us no joy, no expression, and no sense of accomplishment.
When we survey our gifts, examine our talents, and put our skills and abilities to use; we will find new ways and methods to create a life for ourselves and our families without having to do mundane tasks that bring no joy. Using our gifts and talents will bless us not only to survive but to survive on a higher level, as we work cheerfully in a cause that we choose.
H.A. Jabar is the Author of A Well-Made Man: Building the Temple of Self, a Motivational Speaker, a Freelance Writer, Entrepreneur, and Youth Advocate. He is the Founder and CEO of Jabar International. He is a graduate of Arizona State University, an NCAA All-America wrestler, and Pac-10 Conference Champion.
Jabar International is in the business of teaching, training, qualifying, and building people so that they have the intelligence and skill to bring what they envision into existence.
http://www.hajabar.com
