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Each individual— every person— in this world is graced with talents and gifts. We ALL have been given gifts. Perhaps, your gift is that of listening, encouraging, leading, observing, compassion, communication, building community, helping others…. There are so many gifts in this world!
Sometimes, it takes a life’s journey to discover those gifts. Yoga offers us an opportunity to hon in on our talents in a unique environment. Through observation and focus, we discover our strengths, what challenges us, and what brings us connections.
Through this awareness, we discover our inner light. Just as The Namaste is the light within, our gifts are also the light within. The Namaste isn’t meant to stay hidden or withheld. It seeps out, always looking to move beyond and connect with others. Our gifts long to emerge, serve, and transform the world!
As we journey through life, we experience more discoveries, opportunities, and choices. We use our gifts to shine beyond ourselves. When we meet challenges, the sun’s rays are dimmed by stratus clouds blanketing the sky. This makes it difficult to see the light beyond, and we have to rely on the inner light within to sustain us.
When we discover and embrace our gifts, they emerge, rising above the earth from cumulus clouds in a sky of bright welcome. Because we come into our gifts at different times of our lives, there are different uplifts in the clouds. Some uplifts are larger since those gifts have been in the world longer. Others are just emerging through the clouds with the joy of newness. No matter the grandeur of the uplifts, every gift is uniquely special and beautiful in its own presence.
Some might consider yoga a journey of one— a single isolated cloud. Yet, it’s truly a journey of connection and community. We don’t move through life alone, just as we don’t just float solo in our yoga journey. The yoga community is a conglomerate of clouds that lift each other up by encouraging every individual to share their gifts to better the world. 1Peter 4:10 states “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others….” Yoga teaches seva, “together with” or service. It is the giving through actions based on togetherness to uplift those around you.
Our gifts shine forth like sunrays. Sometimes, we see the light reflected in the smiles of those around us. Other times, we might not realize how our gifts warm the hearts of others. We often don’t understand the true impacts of our inner light and how it influences those around us.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes to discover our gifts. It is the journey that matters. When we discover those gifts, that light bursts forth and creates beautiful uplifts in the world! Yoga opens our hearts to the limitlessness of the sky beyond.
Become a part of a yoga community that connects and encourages your light within:
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