"There are so many gifts 
Still unopened from your birthday, 
there are so many hand-crafted presents 
that have been sent to you by God." ~ Hafiz

I believe this is true. We all have yet-to-be-opened gifts that have been within us from the day of our birth. They may be qualities and abilities that no one recognized in us or modeled for us to see. Maybe they are amazing, even miraculous, powers reached in the depths of faith, hope, and love, beyond what we have reached so far. If you can't get a sense of what this could be, consider one of my favorite Chardin quotes:

"Someday...we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."

We also have love-lesson, growth-opportunity, and consciousness-awakening gifts that come into our lives disguised and unrecognized. Let's consider saying "Thank you" and look for the gift in everything that happens on our day-by-day life journey. 

With faith,
Charlene

PS - *This Hafiz quote came to me yesterday in an email from a friend. Thank you, Joan!

PPS - You may wish to read Finding the Gift by another friend, Angela Howell, and listen to "The Twelve Gifts of Birth" music by Susan Kay Wyatt, another friend. There is a growing community of us. You are a part of it. Something in us is eager to recognize, cultivate, and wisely use life's gifts with love and gratitude. 

FAITH: May you believe. - from The Twelve Gifts of Birth.