​True Humility is in Knowing and Fully Embracing Your Gifts

I was reminded of this story today in a reading with a client, and thought I would write about it for my blog.

People often ask how I became a professional palm reader.  Though I tell part of the story on my website, one of the deeper reasons is due to an experience I had in realizing my own worth.

In my mid 20's, I had been dabbling in palmistry for a while, but at the time, I would not have called myself a "palm reader". Palmistry was just a silly thing I did on the side, a parlor trick for people. Many people commented about my readings, but I never took their comments seriously.

I was at a point where I was questioning my life direction.  I remember watching the 1996 Olympics (Atlanta) on television, and the thought occurred to me that these athletes had made it to the pinnacle of achievement.  Those who were skilled and lucky enough to medal, were considered the top athlete in the world. 

Though it seems a bit ridiculous to make the comparison in hindsight, at the time I wondered if I would ever be "Number One" at anything.  I felt stuck in mediocrity.  I was a "B" student (OK, sometimes a "C" student), I had a normal job, making an average wage.  

So, I lamented in my head, "What am I good at? What will I be "Number One" at doing?  When can I call myself an expert?"

Immediately an answer, seemingly from a higher source, popped into my head, "What about your palmistry?"  

"My palmistry?  I don't know - it's just that dumb thing I do."

"How many times must I tell you that what you are doing is amazing, and helps people, before you will believe me?"

"Ummm... I don't think You have ever told me this.  When have you told me these things?  Surely had I heard it from You, I would have known, right?"

"Every time you have heard it from other people, that is Me speaking."

At this point, I suddenly flushed and got tingles down my spine.  Of course - Had I been rejecting the Divine all along, for years?  So many times when I would read someones hand, the person would often respond with positive feedback.  And repeatedly, I just brushed it aside.  Was the Divine really speaking through the people who tell me that I had a positive impact on their lives?

I immediately realized that what was being revealed to me was much deeper - I had been squandering my talent.  I had been dismissing my Divine gift!

That was a big change for me.  I started hearing the feedback from people completely differently. I realized that the feedback they offered was not just my client, but also the Divine speaking through them, and telling me that what I was doing was important, and was making a difference in the world.  I realized the value in my ability to read hands, and to see the Divine presence within my clients.  My work became cherished, special, important.  It was no longer "that dumb thing I do."

Today I embrace my ability to read hands as a gift.  I realize that to be humble in accepting my gift from the Divine, I have to live in it fully, and take it on completely with grace and gratitude.  No more false modesty detracting from the true value of my ability.

So, I pass along this challenge to YOU: where have you been rejecting the love and admiration of the Divine?  When others tell you that your art/cooking/music/writing/skills/talents are amazing/beautiful/transformative - do you honor those words as affirmation from a Divine source?  And what would your life look like if you did?

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