Today you are you, that is truer than true – so what is your purpose?

Have you compared yourself to others? Looked at their achievements and your own and wondered what they have that you don’t? Have you wondered why others just seem to shine brighter than you?

I know I have. It is natural to feel discouraged, but I want to encourage you not to – because your uniqueness is exactly what makes you shine to others, even when you don’t feel like a human lightbulb.

I attended my 30^th high school reunion recently. Yes, yes I know, that makes me older than a few of you, and younger than others. I have, by the way, just celebrated a decade at 37 years old this year. I plan to stay 37 until I turn 50! I adopted my mother’s secret to staying young – it worked for her, and so far it has worked for me!

Anyway – at the reunion I had lots of wonderful conversations with people who had found their groove. It was the best thing about the night.

But the one story that stood out to me was Peter’s story. He had travelled from Adelaide to BrisVegas especially and when I got to ask him what he had been up to, he told me he was playing piano, busking in Adelaide! Now let that sink in…busking. with. a. piano! And he was just beaming telling me all about it! Others around him chimed in about how talented and accomplished he was. He is surprising people as they hop into lifts, setting up in different locations on Rundle Mall, even turning up at train stations! He is daily sharing his talent out to others and getting paid for it! How awesome is that? You guys have to check him out! He is on Facebook as the Walkabout Piano Man – https://www.facebook.com/AdelaidePianoBusker/ or you can look him up at https://www.pianoplayer.com.au/

I have recently been reflecting on my “why”. The busyness of life can overtake our purpose and our passion and leave us feeling lacklustre. Putting one foot in front of the other is better than going nowhere, but it is not enough. That does not bring joy or freedom.

I believe each one of us have been put on this earth for a purpose. I like to think we are part of some massive tapestry. We are each as unique as our fingerprints and that just blows my mind!

We each have a talent – some seem to have more than others – but I think we only have one superpower. That one talent that stands out above the rest. The thing that we love to talk about most. The thing that started as something we did naturally as children. The thing that has been honed by the twists and turns, the mountains and valleys in our life. The thing that comes easier to us, than to others.

Yet there lies the problem. It comes easy to us, so we believe the lie that it is of no value, that we should just bury it, or invest it conservatively to earn a bit of Interest. But that is not what you were designed for. That thing, the thing that makes you, you – is what you are called to share out and multiply.

Those “shiny” people out there that you see – they haven’t got something you don’t have. They have just found their thing and have discovered how to multiply it. For some that came easier than others. They’re the kind of people who jump out of planes and bungy off bridges without fear.

That is not me. I need to bounce ideas off people, read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts. Then I need to process and reflect. I take time to work out how to apply the learnings that align with my values, to my life. For me it is a process. It requires me to be still and quiet and ask questions of myself and others. But it is also pretty darn exciting to feel the energy of ideas bubble up. To sift away the chaff and see the seed left behind. To feel full of potential.

The challenge is the next step.

Now for the record I HAVE jumped out of a plane – but until that rip cord was pulled I felt I was plummeting to my death. I won’t make plans to do it again. The joy of the silent float down to earth was not worth the trauma of the free fall!

Hang gliding is much more my style! I love to fly.

I am right now being challenged to run off the cliff with my one thing strapped like wings to my back. I don’t find this a comfortable place but I know that the flight will be worth it.

When disappointments come your way, I encourage you not to focus on what you missed out on. There is something else for you – the thing where your talents will be multiplied and others will be blessed. It could be a front and centre thing, or it might be a deeper influence thing. It might be playing a piano in the middle of the mall! Just keep being you. And if you don’t know who that is, then start on the journey to work that out.

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you” (Dr. Seuss) – so who are you?