Well, GOALS 2010 was another successful presentation. The co-creators in the event gave us great feedback and are on track to creating the lives of their dreams. During the presentation, we do a “USE Exercise”. That is, to stress that the feeling of success is actually the use of one’s talents and skills in service to others and that this feeling is one the best feelings that we, as humans, are capable of having.

I just had an epiphany and wanted to share it with you. I wrote an email to a friend who asked for some help with a voice-over for an ad her company was doing. She thanked me and I wrote her back and thanked her for the opportunity to serve her. I realized after writing it how profound it actually was. By giving me the chance to do the voiceover, I used my talents to help her complete a project she had, this use of my talents made me feel extraordinary! She is the one who actually gave to me by letting me serve her.

Once one realizes that the real energy in life is in the use of talents, the doing of things, their entire life changes. Many people think that greatness is in the love of ease, e.g. being entertained, retiring, etc., when in fact, the goal is to constantly bring one’s inspirational perception of truth to others through their talents. I once read a book, The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe, by Glenn Clark, written about Walter Russell, and in it, the Author describes something called The Life Triumphant. “The Life Triumphant is that which places what a man gives to the world in creative expression far ahead of that which he takes from it of the creations of others.” This is really the essence of a fulfilled life and if one subscribes to a philosophy of constant use of talents, they will give far more to the world than they can ever take from it. We really need so little, but have so much to give.

Recognize that when you use your talents, you unlock the greatness in yourself. Constantly look for ways to serve others through the use of your talents. Just use your talents! If you want to be a writer, just write, if you want to be a speaker, speak, if you want to act, act. It doesn’t matter where, how or when, just do it. If you want to act, go to a nursing home and put on a performance, as Marianne Williamson says. It doesn’t matter if you write a blog post, or a best seller, if you are called to write, just put the pen to paper and get on with it. The details & finances will sort themselves out, if you don’t believe me, read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Remember what the great teacher said 2,000 years ago, “The greatest among us shall serve.” True greatness is in the service, the use of talents. When someone asks you for help where you can use your talents, say YES!, because you will receive more joy than the person you are serving. Talk about a Win/Win!

A monk in his travels once found a precious stone and kept it.
One day he met a traveler, and when the monk opened his bag to share
his provisions with him, the traveler saw the jewel
and asked the monk to give it to him.
The monk did so readily.

The traveler departed, overjoyed with the unexpected gift of the precious stone
that was enough to give him wealth and security for the rest of his life.
However, a few days later he came back in search of the monk,
found him, gave him back the stone, and entreated him,

“Now give me something much more precious than this stone,
valuable as it is. Give me that which enabled you to give it to me.”

-from a story told by Anthony de Mello