Trusting the Gift: Honoring the Unique Dharma Within

In the modern world of endless noise, distraction, and doubt, the call to trust in your unique gift—your Dharma—is more relevant than ever. Each of us is "one of one," carrying an unrepeatable combination of heart, mind, nervous system, and soul. It is this inherent singularity that makes your gift precious, yet fragile in its early stages, vulnerable to disruption and doubt.

The wisdom of Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita echoes timelessly: “It is better to fail at your own Dharma than to succeed at the Dharma of another.” This profound teaching is an invitation to embrace your path—your own "puny inner genius"—even if the road feels uncertain, or the steps falter. Better to walk your imperfect path than to wear another's crown, no matter how shiny. The gift is indestructible in essence, but the connection to it—the faith, trust, and willingness to listen—is tender, especially in the beginning. This is where the real work begins: rediscovering the gift, aligning with it, and protecting it amidst the seduction of modern life's chaos.

The Fragility and Indestructibility of the Gift

The paradox of this gift is striking: while it is indestructible—fire cannot burn it, as Krishna says—its connection to us is exquisitely fragile. Imagine a young sapling, its roots barely taking hold in the earth. The gift, deeply connected to the divine, is a seed planted by the Source within our Soul. Yet, it is our human responsibility to tend to it, nurture it, and allow it to grow. The Soul itself becomes a messenger of this gift, whispering, "This is what you are meant to do."

However, as the Soul merges with the human experience, we forget. This forgetting is part of the sacred dance of life, a kind of "falling asleep" to who we are, only to be awakened again through moments of disruption, remembrance, and rediscovery.

In today’s world, this connection is under siege. Distraction and disconnection abound, tempting us to chase paths not our own or drown in the noise of others' successes. The faith that we are each uniquely gifted often feels buried beneath this cacophony. Yet, the moment we pause, the moment we dare to listen, we can feel the faint flicker of our own inner light asking, What if?

What If? Tapping Into the Imaginal Space

The path to rediscovering the gift often begins with curiosity: a gentle wondering about roads not taken, ideas left unexplored, or dreams that once lit us up. Have you ever fantasized about how life might have unfolded differently? What if you’d said yes to that unexpected opportunity? What if you’d gone left instead of right?

These questions are not about living in regret; rather, they are invitations into the imaginal space, a sacred place of possibilities. Even revisiting missed moments can awaken a new vitality, albeit tinged with complexity. Shame and guilt may rise when reflecting on paths avoided. But here lies the beauty: it is never too late to realign with your gift. Even in the final breaths of life, acknowledging the Soul's indestructible uniqueness can transform the next chapter, whatever that may be.

The Power of Being Seen: Jane Goodall’s Gift

Sometimes, the gift is not just about finding our own light but holding space for others to discover theirs. Consider the story of Jane Goodall as a young girl. At the age of four, Jane was captivated by the mystery of chickens laying eggs. One day, her curiosity led her to sit quietly in a henhouse, observing this miraculous process while her family panicked, not knowing where she had gone. When Jane finally emerged, her mother, rather than scolding her, recognized the spark in her daughter’s shining eyes. She sat down and listened as Jane excitedly recounted her discovery.

That moment was small but transformative. Her mother’s decision to hold space for Jane’s gift—to nurture her curiosity rather than extinguish it—planted a seed of trust in Jane’s inner knowing. That single moment set the trajectory for a life of groundbreaking work with animals, revolutionizing how humanity views and interacts with the natural world.

The lesson here is profound: by honoring the gift in another, we foster a culture of trust, faith, and encouragement that ripples outward. Whether as parents, mentors, or friends, our role is not to live vicariously through another’s gift but to reflect its light back to them. This is what Jane’s mother did. It is what every mentor and elder is called to do.

Practical Ways to Trust the Gift

So, how can you begin to realign with your gift, to nurture its fragile connection? Here are a few practices to help you deepen your trust:

1. Listen to What Lights You Up
   Pause and reflect: What activities or ideas ignite a spark in you? What topics do you lose track of time exploring? Journal about moments when you felt most alive and connected.

2. Engage in Active Imagination
   Set aside quiet time to explore your "what ifs." Close your eyes and envision the paths not taken, allowing yourself to feel into them without judgment. What wisdom or inspiration arises?

3. Walk in Nature
   Nature has a way of grounding us and reconnecting us to our deeper selves. Take a walk without headphones or distractions. Notice the patterns of life around you and listen for what your Soul might be trying to say.

4. Mentor or Reflect for Others
   One of the greatest ways to strengthen your own connection to the gift is to hold space for someone else’s. Reflect back to others their unique light. Sometimes, in helping others, we rediscover the radiance within ourselves.

Conclusion: A Sacred Responsibility

To trust the gift is to remember that it is both deeply personal and profoundly universal. As the great mythopoetic voices remind us, this gift is God in disguise, a message from Source asking to be expressed through you. Whether through your own discovery or the act of encouraging another, trusting the gift requires faith, courage, and an openness to risk.

This journey is not without challenges, but as Jane Goodall’s story and countless others teach us, even the smallest acts of trust can lead to transformative legacies. So today, ask yourself: Am I ready to listen? Am I ready to trust the gift?

In that choice lies the possibility of everything.