Everyone has gifts.

Skills and abilities they've either been God-given or worked hard to develop. Things they do naturally, or things they've built over time that could genuinely benefit someone else.

But fear or doubt holds some people back from sharing them with others.

Years ago, a mentor said something I've never forgotten. "Stop holding back the gift that you are because someone is waiting to receive it." Then he pushed further. "You have the gift of encouraging people. If you don't use it, that's selfish."

That word hit differently, selfish. Because withholding a gift doesn't feel selfish in the moment. It feels safe and humble. But when someone is on the other end waiting to receive it, it's anything but.

Recently, a good friend asked me to lunch. He's in his early 40s, considering a major career change, with a lot on the line. We talked it through. I said what I actually believed, not to be polished or put on, but because I meant it.

At the end of lunch, he said, "I felt your encouragement today. I needed that."

That's the gift doing its job. It doesn't require a stage or a platform. Sometimes it's just two people at a table, and one of them decides not to hold back.

The hard truth is this. You have gifts, and it is your job to discover, develop, and use them in the service of other people. That's why underneath the Optimistic Outlook logo, and on the back of every hat, it says three words.

Use Your Gifts.

Today is your reminder. It doesn't matter how big or how small, but someone is waiting for your gifts to be used.

P.S. Today is the 260th episode of the Optimistic Outlook, which is also a podcast! Leaving a rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts.