{"id":99,"date":"2012-05-13T20:26:51","date_gmt":"2012-05-13T20:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/onfire\/?p=99"},"modified":"2012-05-13T20:26:51","modified_gmt":"2012-05-13T20:26:51","slug":"your-gift-the-daily-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/onfire\/2012\/05\/13\/your-gift-the-daily-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Gift: the daily battle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I have a Gift<\/a>. So do you.<\/p>\n

My Gift could be described in a number of ways, but at its most basic level, it has to do with uncovering the uniqueness in people and helping them see it for themselves. I express this Gift unknowingly and knowingly, as in writing posts for this blog.<\/p>\n

But every day I face a battle. Something blocks me\u2026thwarts my ability to give freely, joyfully, unencumbered.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m at war with my Ego.<\/p>\n

The problem with this embedded part of me is that its voice sounds so normal<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Be safe<\/em><\/p>\n

Be included<\/em><\/p>\n

Be superior, above others<\/em><\/p>\n

Be applauded<\/em><\/p>\n

Be clever, cool<\/em><\/p>\n

Watch the pros and do it like they do<\/em><\/p>\n

Be smart, intelligent and rational\u2026unlike all the sniveling idiots who put airy-fairy stuff out there because they couldn\u2019t come up with a workable idea if you paid them to\u2026<\/em>(Yes, my normal-sounding Ego also gets ugly\u2026)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Ego takes its place at the front line of my thinking and effectively strangles<\/p>\n

Me\u2014the real me\u2014and<\/p>\n

My Gift.<\/p>\n

I enter the fray. Pick up my sword to slay that false, trumped up, robot-making force:<\/p>\n

1) I \u201ccall out\u201d Ego by identifying it.<\/p>\n

2) Stop its voice and quiet my heart\u2014that spirit part of me where the real me exists. That true, honest, God-loving, wish-to-be-helpful-to-people part.<\/p>\n

3) Ego slithers away.<\/p>\n

4) Faith arises. Belief that my Gift is from my Creator and He is pleasured by pushing it out to others through me.<\/p>\n

Then new freedom.<\/p>\n

Creativity.<\/p>\n

Joy.<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

What about you–does your Ego get in your way?<\/p>\n

How does it manifest itself?<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

photo credit: teotwawki<\/a> (creative commons)<\/p>\n

– – – – –<\/p>\n

Dear Reader: this is a new Beliefnet blog. I need your help to make it a success! Would you consider subscribing (see bar above on the right) plus forward this post to a friend who may enjoy it? Also, I appreciate your comments.\u00a0 Thank you, Gloria<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have a Gift. So do you. My Gift could be described in a number of ways, but at its most basic level, it has to do with uncovering the uniqueness in people and helping them see it for themselves. I express this Gift unknowingly and knowingly, as in writing posts for this blog. 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