All of us have special gifts and abilities. Much of our life time is spent discovering them, and some are obvious at an early age. One of the great challenges and responsibilities of life is to discern how best to use the gifts we have been given. Are they for good, or like in many a story plot, are they used for ill? Sometimes the question is whether we are using them to their full capability, but we should not forget the other side, that is, whether we are using our gifts to create or destroy, build up or tear down, empower or diminish.

Many decades ago, my sister and I were chatting in the kitchen, she sitting on the counter and me on the floor.  Just chatting. Making observations. I said, “I realize that since I know what to say to make people feel good, then I must also know things to say that will destroy them.”  She replied, “I have known that for a long time and it scares the hell out of me.” As I recall, I was about 16 or 17 and I have never forgotten that exchange.

Everything that you do well, can be utilized for good. Or not.

This option pertains not just to skills – writing, dancing, cooking, painting, repairing – but also to knowledge – science, philosophy, finance, economics.  

It takes humility, empathy, discipline and discernment to utilize gifts and talents for good, whether in the moment or over the course of a lifetime.