I heard of a woman who operated a daycare for children from her home. As she transported children in her car one day, a fire truck zoomed by. The kids were thrilled to see a Dalmatian on the front seat.

They began a conversation about the duties of the "fire dog." One child suggested that they use the dog to keep the crowds back. Another said the Dalmatian is just for good luck. But young Jamie brought the argument to an end when he said, "They use the dog to find the hydrant!"

He reminds us that we all have useful abilities. Some of our skills are apparent. Some are hidden. Some can be improved with work. Some have yet to be developed. But all of us can contribute, and usually in more ways than we realize.

Football's William Floyd injured his knee halfway through his 1995 season with the San Francisco Forty-Niners. The gifted athlete could no longer do the one thing he believed he did best until his knee recovered. But he chose not to stay home. Nor did he lament his loss and allow negative feelings about his worthlessness to the team dominate his thinking. Instead, he stood on the sidelines at every workout so that he could inspire his teammates with enthusiasm and optimism. He still wanted to contribute -- if not on the field, then off of it.

For the remainder of the season he encouraged his team, both at practices and during every game. At the end of the year, his teammates voted him the player "who best exemplifies inspirational and courageous play."

William Floyd more fully developed one of his greatest gifts -- an ability to encourage others. Ironically, this life-skill may yet prove to be more useful than even his athletic ability.

Madame Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (she won two), said this about giftedness: "Life is not easy for any of us, but what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

You, too, are gifted for something. Discover it...develop it...do something beautiful with it. And you'll find your greatest happiness.

Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com. Read more about this author.

For more about this author: Click AUTHORS  To send us your comments: Click FEEDBACK