The Gift of the Learning Process

It can be very frustrating to watch someone who has a special talent or a natural gift. What they do seems to come effortlessly.

You ask, "Why can't it be that way for me?"

You may even look for "cheats" or "shortcuts." You try to find ways to make it happen faster or easier.

Surely, they must have an easy life being  born with such talent. 

Even with short cuts, you will learn, but you will miss the gift that a learning curves provides. 

You lose the gift of time, which enables you to absorb the new learning so that it does not overwhelm. You lose the gift of work, which helps you to appreciate what you have. You lose the gift of experience, a gift which has stories to tell you and important lessons that will serve you in all areas of your life.

Do not lose faith in your abilities if you find that you struggle in the beginning. Do not give up too quickly. 

In the beginning you may struggle to make small gains. With perseverance, these small gains become bigger ones. With these bigger gains under your belt, you will be able to practice your new skill. You will start to feel pleasure and pride at your accomplishment.

Do not give up at this point, for the best is yet to come. Like a master artist, you now can add details to your practice, smoothing out rough edges and polishing your craft until you are performing at an expert level.

In every step of the learning process, there are delights, gifts and surprises that will enrich all parts of your life.

If you want a bouquet, you must till the soil, plant the seeds, water, fertilize, weed, nurture and harvest. Every step is important. To miss any portion of the process will lead to a dead end and destroy any chance of creating the perfect arrangement. 

Those who have savant-like abilities, do not, necessarily, have it easy. They are often misunderstood and must deal with the envy and resentment of others. They don't feel special or unique and don't always understand the "fuss" about what they do naturally. Their "gift" may even seem to be a burden.

To learn, "the hard way" allows you to appreciate the new skill you are trying to acquire.

The longer it takes you to learn, the more experience you will accumulate, and the more comfortable you will be with your new ability. You will have a better understanding of your new skills and be better equipped to teach and help others develop their skills.

Whatever you want to do, enjoy every step of the learning process. Celebrate your gains and aim to improve upon them. 

One day, you will wake up and realize, that you are the skilled one that others look up to with admiration. ~Silas

Nobody Does It Better

If you feel you have a flaw, don't hide it. What you call a flaw sets you apart from others.

Look for the gift within the flaw.

Impatience might mean that you are driven and dedicated, shyness might indicate that you are sensitive and observe situations rather than directly participate.

An unusual facial feature makes you exotic and recognizable.

You were not created as robots designed to do a single task, but as artists, creating a breathtaking mural.

Don't lament that you cannot draw the animals in the picture, perhaps you were created to make the clouds and sun.

Be yourself, no one else can do it better. ~Silas

Be Grateful For What You Have; Do not Curse What You Haven’t

All of you would like to have more of the things that make you happy. It may be money, friends, love or material things. 

The Universe would like to help you achieve this.

The problem is you create confusion. 

You want more money, so you say your prosperity affirmations, you carry your pretend million dollar bill everywhere you go, you wear lots of green and visualize a larger number in your bank account.

 Then you go to pay a bill. 

“Damn it!” you say! Is that all I have? 

Your computer runs slow. 

“What a piece of garbage! I want a better one!”

Such emotion and attention you give to what you don’t want. If the majority of your energy and emotions are spent this way, guess what you will be getting more of?

Often you get angry when you hear a child whining in a store because they want candy or a new toy, but you do not hear yourself whine to the Universe.

When a child is witnessed being grateful and considerate of others, their parents are more likely to give them gifts. Strangers give them praise.

They are happy and content and get what they ask for because they continuously show gratitude for what they have. 

The next time you are tempted to complain that you lack the money for a new dress, stop and be grateful that you have enough for a cup of coffee.

When your computer runs slowly, remember the last time you were without one and be glad that it is running. 

Then the Universe hears, “I’m grateful! I like having these things!” and like a devoted parent, it will repay your gratitude with more of the things you love.

Like any good parent, the Universe wants you to be happy and well adjusted, not spoiled and unappreciative.

The Universe will always deliver first, that which you cry out for with the greatest intensity of emotion. 

Love passionately, the little things in your life. This sends a loud, clear message to the Universe:

"Thank you! May I have some more?"

Star Quality

If you have an inspiration, act on it! Feed your gifts and talents.  Starve your insecurities and fears.

You have all the tools available to you right now.  The rest will come as you need and ask for them.

Your gifts, abilities and talents were given to you for a reason.  Don’t waste them!

Don’t be shy! Put yourself out there! 

Allow the Universe to sit in the auditorium and be a proud parent to you, its glorious and amazing star child!  ~Silas

Forgive and Fly

Forgiving those who have hurt you can be a difficult process, yet failure to forgive holds no one imprisoned but you.  

Always look for the gift.

Did someone hold you back? Think of a rubber band being pulled back tighter and tighter until it must be released and then its contents (you) are propelled forward at tremendous speed. This rapid growth would have taken much longer had you not first been held back.

Did someone break your heart? Like a bone that is set improperly, sometimes a heart must be re-broken so that it can be set correctly and heal completely. Only then can you find real love.

Did someone steal from you?  Then you most likely learned the value of what you have.  Give thanks for all of your blessings, and more will come to you.

Did someone insult you?  How wonderful that they have spoken to you what is not true.  How lovely it is that their words and actions push you towards people who have more compassionate and loving hearts.

Pain always brings a gift if you have the courage to look for it.

Remember, in forgiveness, you are not condoning the behavior, you are rising above it and freeing yourself from it.

You cannot hope to fly when your ankles are shackled . Forgive, let go, and take off! Your glorious future awaits!  ~Silas

Your Weirdness Is Your Gift

If you want to know what spiritual gifts you possess, look no further than your weird quirks and strange tendencies. They will lead you to the treasures within you.

Are you dreamy? Have your teachers told you to stop daydreaming and pay attention? Close your eyes. Allow your dreams to take you where they will. You may discover great ideas, make unique connections, have strong psychic abilities or be able to develop them.

Are you meticulous? Do you have an eye for details that others might miss? You may be able to read things in people by noticing subtle shifts in their energy, posture or expressions. You may also have artistic or musical skills.

Do you constantly experience pain? You may be picking up the pain of others. You may be an empath, healer or both. Be sure to clear your energy often with meditation or healing work. You do not need to carry the burdens of others. You might want to investigate a healing profession if it moves you.

To you talk over people or finish their sentences? Perhaps you are trying to shot out the thoughts you can hear around you. You might be telepathic. Cultivate your listening skills and see what happens.

Are you fidgety? Your body may be trying to catch up with your rapidly changing thoughts and ideas. You may be processing the energies of others. Dance, walk, rock get into the flow of the energy and see what comes to you. An invention, a poem, perhaps a song?

You do not have quirks because you are weird. You have quirks because you are civilized, and you must stifle your natural energies. Do not suppress them. Get away by yourself and explore them. We never cease to be amazed at all that you are capable of doing. It's time for you to be amazed as well. ~Silas