Is it my destiny to use the gifts I have been given?

QUESTION - Since I was a wee child, I knew I had the gift of healing. My grandmother Maude Donleavey always used herbs and natural things to heal with. She also had the sight. Since a child I have always been drawn to the curiosity and the love of healing with herbs and cooking with the herbs with intent. I don't understand if this is inherited or just a curiosity. I, now in my crone years, need to have the comfort of knowing if this has been my destiny or what I am doing with these gifts. My religion is that of a Spiritualist, but my love is for that of the herbalist the healer. Can you help me find the answers? 


ANSWER - I'm not entirely sure I believe in the concept of destiny. I like to think that humans have the freedom and the potential to carve out their lives independent of predestination. To me, the hallmark of a valuable life is not conforming to a path you were designed to tread, it is developing a life that works for you, a life you can look back and feel proud of living. I see the acid test as imagining yourself rocking in an armchair in your nineties, looking back at your years and asking – Would I have wanted my life to have been fundamentally different? If the answer for you is no then using your gifts has been worthwhile.

I think for you in particular, you have devoted your time and energies to healing and to helping others. This is something you have been drawn to, possibly even guided to....You have used your gifts to help others and in doing so you have elevated your own life and given it meaning. Its rare I say this, but I'm not sure you need the answers, I think you've put the effort in to finding your own answers that work for you. Does it really matter if your gifts are inherited or a curiosity? To my way of thinking it is what you have chosen to do with them that is important. You have realised your gifts and put them to the service of others. You speak of your love for herbs and healing and that says it all. You live a life consistent with your gifts, your own enjoyment of what you do and an altruism and kindness toward others. What more could you ask from a life? What more could you have done to give it meaning?


Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=766648 (Shelley_cun)

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