We all have something to offer… unique skills, knowledge, experience and belongings that could be used to help meet particular needs in your community.
However, many of us have not yet taken a step back to look at how our unique G.I.F.T.S. can be used to help others and make our own lives more meaningful and fulfilling.
This 3 part blog will help you begin to discover these G.I.F.T.S.
- Your GOALS
- Your INTERESTS
- FULFILLMENT of your life’s purpose
- Your TALENTS
- Your SITUATION in life
Uncovering what you can do to make a difference in the lives of others is an important and challenging process.
GOALS
We begin by defining the end. Every successful company sets out a vision for what it wants to be and accomplish. There is power in setting goals for ourselves as well… they become our driving force. Without knowing where the finish line is for your life, it’s difficult to know how to run the race. We see people who live for the here and now all around us… they trudge through life taking it day by day without the passion and fire that comes with seeing the big picture.
A big part of that big picture is knowing that our purpose in life is not to be served but to serve. We are not created simply to live for ourselves. We have all felt the joy that comes with serving others… we feel alive when we sacrifice part of ourselves for another person. Those are the moments when we truly are living out our life’s purpose.
Key Questions:
- What are your life goals?
- To what extent do those goals involve putting your own interests aside for the sake of others?
- In what ways do you want to leave this world a better place?
- Are there any new goals you want to set based on your answers to questions #2 and #3?
INTERESTS
Our interests are the things we like to do, the people we like to be around, and the roles we like to play in life. Essentially, it’s how we want to spend our time. As it relates to doing charity work, some of us want to be leaders and managers while others like to work behind the scenes. Some people may enjoy working with the elderly while others have a passion for helping the physically impaired. Some have a heart for reaching out to those in their own age, gender or social economic group and others don’t. Whoever we are shapes our preferences and leads us to different types of service in different places at different times.
Key Questions:
- What are some common characteristics of your best friends?
- What are your favorite aspects of your current job?
- How do you like to spend your spare time?
- Do you like to travel? If so, to what kind of places?
- For what groups of people do you feel a deep compassion and empathy?
Part 1 of 3
Author: Jim Morgan
