Blog Post

An Unseen Gift

April 12, 2020

The Haven was bustling on the bright summer ‘s day. Far earlier than usual with the anticipation of the next generation gaining their gifts. Their traits, proving that magic resided within them. Some would receive their gift early and others later in life, but for many, it was around a certain season in their childhood.

The guardian teachers stood not far off to watch as the children tested on various things. Magic, shifting, wings to fly to great heights. Invulnerability to cold. Strength of body or mind. 

The children played, unaware of being tested on such trivial things. Enjoying the sun, the game, and the fun of laughter.

A child fell and as they touched the grass below it began to grow into tall stalks, taller than most of the adults. The adults smiled, ushering the child away to ensure that they teach the child what the gift meant and how to use it properly. 

Another took the light of the sun, scorching the earth with its rays.

One gained a fishy tail.

A little girl turned into a little bear.

A little boy turned into quite the perfect tree, which took some time to come out of.

The youngest forming wings and floating off. Much to the shock and sudden horror of the adults who tried to catch him.

All were ushered off. Told they were given gifts of great purpose.

Except one. 

One who sat on the grassy fields. Unaware why her playmates were gone. Eyes looking to the sky as she played with flowers deemed to be weeds.

The Haven talked as days turned to weeks, months to years, and the girl grew into a young woman with no gift to be seen.

She wondered some days why her gift had not been seen, other days she pushed it from her thoughts as she continued learning.

Her most favorite time was playing with the Haven’s children when they asked her to join their games.

Giggling, smiling, laughing. Telling stories, inspiring dreams, and creating art.

The day came again that the little friends she made came to an age that they started to find gifts of their own.

Once again she was left on the grassy field all alone.

A deep sadness filled her heart.

Why?

Why was she not gifted?

Was she not special?

Tears fell on her cheeks, her heart, broken.

“What is wrong?” An old guardian asked.

“It’s silly.” She replied wiping the tears from her eyes.

“No pain or hurt is silly.”

“It’s really disappointment.” She answered. 

“Even disappointment must be felt before it can be moved from one’s heart, and let go.” The guardian waited to hear her answer but as she said nothing asked, “What is your disappointment?”

“I have no gift. Now even the next generation are showing their abilities and I have nothing.” 

“Nothing? That is not what I saw then, nor now. You inspired your playmates, as you inspire these children. You make others smile. You give your time, your energy to help others see their best self. No one ever told you about your gift because we had assumed you already knew. You are a Muse. The inspirer, the dreamer, the one who gives insight into an individual’s greatest possibilities. You help others see their best self through your encouragement. How could you not see your gift?”

The girl thought back to that first day as she talked with her playmates on what they wanted to be. They were scared as she dreamed of the possibilities. 

“But think of how amazing it would be to fly?” she told the youngest. “To swim below the deepest parts of the sea?” she asked another.

The guardian brought her focus back to the present, “They were scared to try. To see what they would become. They needed your encouragement, your kindness, your inspiration to explore the possibilities.” The guardian paused, “The stories you tell. The way you encourage this next generation telling them that they are strong, confident, and peaceful has allowed them to explore and find their gifts. How could you not see yours?” 

“Because I couldn’t see it.” She said looking down.

“Not every gift can be seen. Some are only felt. Others are not known until the impact is seen years later. If your gift is not seen you must explore that maybe it is one that impacts others. A gift that is truly amazing and special in its own right.”

“But is it meaningful to help someone have the courage to fly even if you never fly yourself?” she asked, distraught.

“Yes. What if you are the only one that inspires that courage? The only one that sees the potential and says anything? The greatest gift we have is the kindness we give to others. To encourage that potential when you see it. How is that not meaningful?” 

The girl sat back and reevaluated what she knew about gifts. The ones that were flashy and cool were amazing, but the guardian was right.

Her favorite way to spend her time was her greatest gift all along.

One often overlooked, underappreciated, but extremely important.

To inspire others to have the courage to go for their dreams. 

To see potential and encourage the individual when you can see it.

To give insight into their greatest possibilities.

By having the consideration to care and the ability to be kind.