It's so easy in today's world to fall into that slump. You know the one: where you think everyone else is passing you by, you wonder where you were when God was handing out all the talent, you convince yourself you have nothing to offer to the world, and life just really, REALLY exhausts you.
Well, think again! Here are three ways that you are the center of the universe. Unique. One of a kind. The apple of God's eye. There was never anyone like you before, there is no one like you now, and there will never be anyone like you ever again. Your blessing of time is at hand. So jump on this precious life and ride it for all it's worth!
You Are a Self-Taught Artist of Life
Genesis 1:27 is really How You Are Blessed 101: God created you in His image.
The ultimate artist of life created you (YOU!) to also be an artist of life -- your life. You may argue, "But I don't have a creative bone in my body!" Not true. You were born with nothing but creative bones, and mind, and heart, and soul.
Everything you do from the time you get up in the morning until you fall asleep (and even while sleeping!) is you designing-building-producing-discovering your life, as well as adding accent and color to the world around you. How you manage your day, how you handle interactions with people, where you focus your energies -- for better and for worse, these actions are the paintbrush to your canvas, the chisel to your block of marble.
Now I won't argue, there is a lot of amateurish artwork in the world, but only because the artists need a little more practice and direction. Same with us and our lives. It's one step at a time, forward, even if the way is messy with twists and turns, bumps and crossroads.
As creator of your life, the charge and choice is solely yours to ensure that your life -- no matter the circumstances -- is one of learning, growth, smiles, compassion, productivity, small victories, and leaving a positive mark as you pass this way.
You Have Hidden Gifts Waiting to Be Discovered
I can't tell you how many times people have said to me, "I wish I could write like you!" They say this with defeat -- even regret, as if writing is the only talent in the world.
My response: "I'm sure there are many things you can do that I can't, and wish I could!" Oh, like surf, understand algorithms, recite Scriptures by heart, run a five-minute mile, and not let the little things bother me so much.
Too often, we compare ourselves to others: the neighbor who is a mini-clone of Martha Stewart; the political genius who is changing the world with his groundbreaking investigative reports; the literary agent with a brilliant knack for making deals that have made him a powerhouse in the publishing industry; the athlete who defies gravity to score medal after medal . . . Need I go on?
Instead, take a good look in the mirror -- into your own eyes, and ask, "What am I good at?"
If the answer is, "Nothing," then ask again, and again, and again. That "nothing" shouldn't be the end of the discussion, but rather a launching point for the search to discover what your talents are.
Believe me, those gifts are in you somewhere. Sometimes they're just hidden deep within like surprises, waiting for us to discover and unwrap them -- then, most importantly, use them.
You're Breathing, Aren't You?
Have you ever really thought about how your breathing works? Bear with me now.
You inhale. That breath travels through your nose and mouth, down your throat and windpipe into bronchial tubes, then into your lungs and smaller bronchioles, all ending in hundreds of millions of little sacs called alveoli. That's Phase 1.
Phase 2: Oxygen from said breath above then travels into your blood via a system of capillaries. From there, it goes to your heart, which pumps it to the bazillion cells within your body. (We won't even get into what happens next, or during exhalation -- the removal of carbon dioxide and all that.)
I mean, not even the precision of a Wyeth painting, the golden ratio of a pyramid, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, or a hole in one on the golf course can come close to that divine perfection.
Simply put, here's an equation even my mathematically-challenged mind can understand:
Each Breath = Blessing!
(Now would be a good time to take a long, deep breath and ponder this.)
BONUS BLESSING:
Have No Doubt -- You Are Loved!
One of the biggest afflictions in the world today is loneliness. From newborns to folks tipping the century mark, we all need to feel loved.
If you have any doubt about this within your own life, I'm here to tell you: YOU ARE LOVED!
God loves you. Others love you.
And as sure as I am sitting here, sharing one of my God-given blessings with you, let these words confirm, if nothing else, that I love you, too!