The Birthday Gift You Never Knew You Had
We all search for strengths and resources to navigate life’s challenges. We long for a well-stocked toolbox, filled with instruments and methods to face whatever comes our way. Often, we feel inadequate, lacking the right tools or the knowledge of how to use them. But what if I told you that your greatest asset is always near, often overlooked and underappreciated?
You see, we don’t always look within, failing to recognize the vast potential residing in our depths. Like hidden treasures, these inner strengths often reveal themselves unexpectedly, during moments of crisis or unforeseen challenges. It’s in those moments of “rising to the occasion” that we uncover capabilities we never knew we possessed.
The Power Within: More Than Meets the Eye
The Kabbalists, Jewish mystical thinkers, describe our faculties as multi-dimensional:
- Revealed Faculties: These are the skills and abilities readily apparent to ourselves and others – our sight, hearing, intelligence, communication skills, etc. These can be measured and tested, reflecting our conscious, external capabilities.
- Hidden Faculties: Lying beneath the surface are our hidden capacities, the potential waiting to be unlocked. Like a car with untapped horsepower, or an athlete with the potential to run farther and faster, these strengths can be accessed through effort, training, and conditioning.
- Essential Faculties: At the core of our being lie the essential faculties, the wellspring of our soul’s potential. Accessing this level requires deep commitment, exertion, and a willingness to delve into the innermost recesses of our being.
Like the eruption of a volcano, what we witness on the surface is but a glimpse of the immense power simmering below. To access these deeper levels, we need to emulate the process of striking a flint. Just as a flint needs a forceful strike to release its hidden spark, we, too, must exert effort, struggle, and even embrace confusion to reach the clarity and crystallization of our innermost potential.
This brings us to the often-overlooked power of your birthday.
Your Birthday: A Cosmic Affirmation
Your birthday isn’t merely a date on a calendar, but a powerful testament to your unique significance. It’s the day the universe declared, “The world cannot exist without you!”
Let me share a story that profoundly illustrates this point.
Years ago, during a book tour, I received a letter from a woman in St. Louis. She was a successful executive, by all outward appearances, yet she carried a deep, hidden pain.
Years of childhood abuse had left her soul feeling murdered, her life a fractured reflection of the love and validation she never received. In her letter, she shared that a single line from my book, “Birth is God saying you matter,” pierced through the darkness, acting like a “silver bullet.”
For the first time in 47 years, she grasped a profound truth – her worth was not defined by her past, her pain, or societal expectations. Her existence, the very fact that she was born, was a testament to her inherent value in the eyes of God. This realization, sparked by the simple reminder of her birth, ignited a flicker of hope, offering a path toward healing and reconnection with her true self.
The Power of Knowing You Matter
This woman’s story, though born from pain, illuminates a universal truth – we all crave the affirmation that we matter. It’s a yearning that runs deeper than any accomplishment, possession, or relationship.
Your birthday, marking the day you entered this world, is a powerful reminder of this inherent worth. It’s the day the cosmos celebrated the gift of you, a unique soul with a purpose only you can fulfill.
This realization isn’t about ego or arrogance; it’s about recognizing the profound significance of your existence. When you truly grasp that you matter on a cosmic level, it transforms your perspective. It empowers you to:
- Live with intention: Knowing your life has purpose fuels a desire to live each day with intention, making choices that align with your unique mission.
- Embrace challenges: Obstacles become opportunities for growth, pushing you to access hidden strengths and discover your true potential.
- Contribute meaningfully: When you recognize your own worth, you’re more likely to see the value in others, leading to a life of genuine connection and contribution.
Reawakening to Your Birthright
Every day is an opportunity to tap into the power of your birthday. Just as the woman in St. Louis found solace in recalling the moment of her birth, you, too, can access this wellspring of strength.
Take time to reflect on the miracle of your existence. Remember, you were born an original; don’t live as a copy. Embrace your unique gifts, pursue your passions, and live a life that honors the profound truth of your birthday – you matter.
To delve deeper into the meaning of birthdays, I encourage you to explore our Birthday Guide, a resource designed to help you uncover the hidden power and significance of this special day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-g1li4VKRY.
