A few weeks ago, I shared insights about a rock garden I discovered while walking along a mountain-side path in Tucson. If you missed  it, you can read it here. Today's daily meditation is part two. 

 

A rock garden can be a metaphor for an individual life, but it also demonstrates the importance of bringing our unique gifts to our communities. We all share a need to belong, to stand with our families, our friends and our communities. We inherently want to contribute to our worlds in a meaningful way by joining arms with others who share our particular passions. 

 

One lone rock in the dirt hardly makes an impact but when several are placed together creatively as in this garden (see photo below), the visual results are exponentially greater.

 

Notice that the rocks consist of a variety of shapes and colors yet they all work together for a unified purpose. Similarly, we are born to stand out as we stand with the greater good. Both are important to meet our basic human needs and they serve as keys to our fulfillment and happiness. 

 

We need to stand out and be everything we were each created to be versus molding ourselves into who we think we're supposed to be, or living at a level that's comfortably less than all we are capable of. I may be stepping on some toes but I can say that because I was a comfortable under-achiever hiding out, ironically, under my worldly over-achievements. Meanwhile I remained unfulfilled and kept my true gifts hidden. It took time and adverse circumstances for me to finally pursue a more authentic life.

 

You may be saying, "But I don't know what my passions are." I didn't either. It can be difficult to have awareness about our hearts' desires if we are living in a compressed state just going through the motions. If I'm describing how you're living to any degree, the good news is that you are becoming aware of the problem. Dissatisfaction has your attention and you will continue to gain more willingness to do something about it. 

 

Standing out means allowing the parts that make you YOU come to the surface. What can you bring to the garden in a way that no one else can? To clarify what that is, follow your heart as you explore your interests, talents and gifts. And then HOW you use your gifts, dreams and talents can be how you "stand with" your community to meet your need of belonging.

 

What group of people will benefit from your gifts? Who else is also passionate about serving that population? Or maybe there is a company or an organization that would support your efforts? Find your like-minded tribe! These are the people you can lock arms with to honor your individual heart's cry while serving the greater good.

 

If you're already living life to the fullest, congratulations! Reach out and see who you can bring along with you. If you're where I was at one point, wondering what you have to offer the world, please know you are not alone. Keep asking questions and looking around for open doors. Solutions tend to find the people who are looking for them. I have faith that you're closer than you think.

 

*Rock Garden and other pictures below!