THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

 THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

New Year’s Goals, Passion, Value, Talents

PASSION:

So, what is the passion in my life?  What is the passion in your life?  What talents do you have?  Are you complacent in your life - “coasting” - “watching it all go by (while your skills and talents are tucked away in a sock drawer!!)” 

To me, using my talents, abilities, and passions is part of my spiritual life.  If I have talent (and that is debatable!!) then, like the parable of the talents, if I take my talents and abilities and hide them away, I am like that last person in the parable (who gets thrown into the “outer darkness, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth”).  

I “have to” use my talents and abilities - if I can.  Yes, I can volunteer - that can use my talent of listening and being cheerful and enthusiastic.  But, as I mentioned before, compensation is found within.

“For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” (1 Corinthians 9:9.  The implication is that the ox can eat and have the benefit of the grain as it helps process the grain, and likewise, if a person is helping out a person or organization, he or she should gain some benefit from it.  Yes, volunteers frequently get some perks - discounts, free coffee, maybe some other perks.  (I have a sunshade from volunteering for the Faith in Action group.  I get to play symphonic music from ‘volunteering’ with the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra.)  

MOTIVATION / DECISION MAKING

I’m not sure that is time to “put up or shut up” in terms of being a life coach.   Do I forge ahead, get the additional training, pay the money, do the work?  This particular group will give a person a certification, and (seemingly) help you get clients.  

Do I find a local university that can help me become an LCSW?  (Which is more of an accepted degree).  Do I do ‘free’ coaching/counseling (there are some organizations that do that)?  Actually, most programs expect you to have at least 100 hours of volunteer (free) coaching (kind of like student teaching).  

<NOTE> So, if you know somebody that might want some coaching, or wants a listening ear, or can help motivate a student, or work with the elderly and their issues, I’d be very willing to get the experience and help out!!!

But, the real question to me is not “Can” I do it - but do I want to pay the price upfront to get the training and certification!!!  In the parable of the talents, each of the people received a gift upfront to use, and the first two - using their gifts doubled the amount.

I have also started the process to be a substitute teacher in the local school district.  (Okay, true confessions here.  I have gotten fond of my 15 minutes afternoon nap - and I can’t do that at a school!!).  Maybe I can be some sort of life coach/assistant counselor - especially for the college-bound student to talk to a ‘real professor’ in the school district.

So what gifts might a person have?

Aptitudes

-1 Intelligence

-2 Intuitive Ability

-3 Emotions\

-4 Talent in a Particular Area of Work or Performance

Interests

Likes and Dislikes

In addition to the gifts noted above, there are other considerations:

-. Capacity

-. Propensities

-. Aspirations

-. Personality

-. Free Will

-. A Measure of Faith

-. A Conscience

-. Communication Ability 

-. A Network of Relationships

-. A Generation and A Location

So, as I do my reflections for the New Year, I hope you are as well.  Are you “satisficing” - getting by, not aiming for anything above or beyond yourself?  OR - Are you using your talents appropriately?  Have you hidden some talents and abilities away? 

Colossians 3:23-24

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.”

Eventually (in my belief system - Judeo/Christian) - I will die and I (probably) will need to give an account to God about what I did.  So, if God was to say “So, Karen, what did you do with the talents I gave you to use in your retirement?”  I’d like to be able to say “I used the talents you gave me!!!”

Loving one another - is a form of talent; writing blogs - is a form of talent; encouraging one another - is a form of talent; showing compassion - is a form of talent; counseling - is a form of talent.  So, as I spend a few weeks contemplating my future, down inside I want to be doing something of value!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen