There are some lines in the blessing-poem, “I AM NOT NEEDED THERE … FIRE, GIVE ME FIRE!” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés that fit me perfectly: “There are enough scholars… I am not needed there” and “There are so many beautiful singers… I am not needed there either…”.  Like this poet, there are so many life stations where I’m not needed, or more to the point, for which I am not suited: novelist, athlete, scientist, musician, architect, technician, physician, artisan, and others. If I were completing a talent survey, I’d be checking “no” quite often. The experience would be humbling, to say the least.

Dr. E, as she wishes to be known, shares many of the stations of life where she is not needed, and then brilliantly describes the activity of “stone sharpening” that brings her alive. With great precision, she describes her gift.

Through her blessing-poem, Dr. E has invited me to ask of myself: What is the gift that is mine to give? With a bit more precision, I ask these two questions of myself:

1.                         What am I genuinely passionate about, at this very time in my life?

2.                         And, therefore, where am I needed just because of who I am?  

I’ve always been a good listener. I’ve never been one who was eager to make a point, or have my say. I listen carefully, and I hope, thoughtfully. It seems to me that attentive listening is something that the world needs now. That kind of listener is who I am; so probably, I am needed there.  Also, I am an enthusiastic person. Once, someone posted a sign outside my office door that announced: “Alert! David sometimes erupts into sudden bursts of enthusiasm. Beware!” Although some people may see these two qualities or gifts as quite a contrast, they both seem to live alongside in me.

However, there is also one other response yearning to be expressed. Without a doubt, I am an optimist, and probably, an idealist. My wife, Karen, once gave me a cap that declares on its front: “Optimism Can Take You Anywhere.” It certainly can! And, therefore, I think that I was born to be an encourager. I can’t not encourage others; I’m always optimistic about their potential. The role model for my writing, Carl Sandburg, is known to have told his best friends: “I may keep this boyheart of mine… I am an idealist.” Me too! And so, I am a deep listener, an enthusiastic person, an optimist, and an encourager. I feel that these are the gifts that are mine to give.

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How about you: What are the gifts that you have to give?