Sometimes Your Gifts Can Feel Like a Burden

A couple of days ago, I had a long talk with my Sister. Anyone who knows her, knows that she has a strong personality. She is opinionated, resilient, hard-working, and knows how to make things happen. She was feeling tired because it seems as though she is always put in a position in which she has to pick up the slack for someone else, who lacks the skills she has. I understood how she felt because I have found myself in a similar position many times. I have had people let me take the lead, do all the work, etc., because they knew I could handle it. At times, this can feel like a burden. As the one who is too often leaned on, it can feel like things would be so much easier if I did not have these gifts, because I could just sit around and let other people take care of the "hard stuff".  I let my Sister know that I knew how she felt and I reminded her that sometimes our gifts can feel like a burden, but we need to use them anyway. I also reminded her that her gifts were a good thing, something to be grateful for, and that in those moments that they felt like burdens, to remember this and take a moment to be grateful.

So, to anyone reading this blog entry, use your gifts, be proud of your gifts, and most importantly, be grateful for your gifts. Your gifts may mean more work for you or more responsibility, but be proud that you are capable! Also, please know that some people have not been blessed with the gifts that you have, and therefore do not have the capacity to do the things you can. Recognize that, and try not to judge them (I know that's hard!). Some people are doing the best they can with what they have.