Your kids have their own gifts and talents. These are the special, unique attributes they come into a body with. It is not something they learn. Yes, they may need practice or classes to help the gift expand, but they will “be a natural” at it. You will start to see glimpses of these gifts when they are young. They are inherent, natural gifts.
Realize that gifts can be physical, mental and emotional. Some examples of physical gifts are: sports, music, speaking, acting. Some examples of mental gifts are: problem solving, math, science, engineering, learning, understanding a bigger picture, being intuitive. Some examples of emotional gifts are: compassion, empathy, drive to help, love, understanding.
Your kids may have a combination of those gifts or just one that really shines.
Everyone has their own gift (s). The reason why it is called a gift is because it is literally like a present that we each have within us that is meant to unwrap, share and to give to the world around them.
Our gifts are part of the true essence of our soul. They are inherent. We come in with them. They will make themselves apparent, usually at a young age. Realize that your child’s gifts may be the same as yours and they may be different and they may be both the same and different. Encourage them to use their gifts in a way that they feel passionate about. That may not be the same way you use yours. That’s ok.
The most important thing is that you encourage them to use their gifts and follow their passions.
If your child has what society deems as a “handicap or limitation” realize this is NOT a limitation for their soul or for fulfilling their purpose. This is, in fact, a part of the journey to HELP them use their gifts and fulfill their purpose. A soul is NEVER limited. In fact it is limitless!
We don’t get to know what amazing thing your child is here to do - but don’t you want to see him/her do it? If so, never see or treat them as limited in any way. Remember, the journey will have ups and downs. When they hit a bump in the road, how can you help them find a way around the bump. Never let a bump stop your child from doing what they are passionate about. And try not to project your own limitations or fears you learned in life on them. Encourage expansion, learning, exploring, expressing! There is ALWAYS a way!
Chances are, your child may have a gift that you do not understand. The most important thing you can do is to ask him/her about it. Learn about it. Draw it out of them. Encourage them to explore it. Don’t squelch it or ignore it just because you don’t understand it.
Your kids want to be seen for who they are. The most incredible thing you can do as a parent or person who works with kids is to recognize the specialness they have within. SEE YOUR KIDS FOR WHO THEY ARE, NOT FOR WHO YOU WANT THEM TO BE.
Our purpose is like a script programmed within our soul. It is inherent. It has a call that is within each of us that drives us in certain directions to fulfill that purpose. We each have our own purpose in life. When we are young, we are MUCH more connected to our soul, our gifts and purpose because we have had a lot less outer influence telling us who we are or who we should be. REMEMBER THIS: We come into our lives knowing who we are.
Inspire, encourage, support your kids to live their purpose. That may scare you. That may be outside your comfort zone. It may not (and probably will not) be the same as yours. That’s ok. It’s not your life.
When you encourage people at an early age to have the courage and confidence to follow their passions, use their gifts, and remind them that they have a purpose, they build their life with that incredible foundation. This builds confidence and self esteem to achieve anything in life.
Each of us has our own journey. There will be ups. There will be downs. There will be lessons to learn to help us grow.
When you support and allow your child to blossom, grow and expand into their full and true authentic self, they live from a space of fully knowing themselves and having the confidence to go after their dreams and passions in life.
You are a part of their journey and you get to decide what role you take on in their life play. Think about how you want that to look. Think about what you may have wanted differently from your parents. Of course parenting is tough and truly tests who you are and you aren’t going to do it perfectly all of the time. This is also your opportunity to support a young person into being the greatest version of themselves. Isn’t that what we all want for all the young people?