This I Believe

As a 20 something student, I believe that it is human nature to take notice of others; especially those who are unarguably the best at what they do and ponder; what is my talent, identity, ability, or purpose?

However, before a further discussion ensues it might be necessary to clarify my use of the term best as not strictly applying to competitiveness or winning, but instead such great virtues as intelligence and more importantly compassion and self-sacrifice.

This thought of personal meaning, which might drape across our minds is not in the name of jealousy, but rather a sense of greater calling inspired by such people.

This question would obviously point many to seek religious guidance, which might tell us that our ultimate purpose is servant hood, but such concept is ambiguous in that it tells us the ultimate answer, but does not give us insight into the odyssey that we call life.

In this pursuit of ultimate fulfillment many seek to begin the journey instead by focusing on a sense of identity usually through group association or by focusing on a talent. However, many still are faced with difficulty in that they find little use for social affirmation and see very little in themselves in terms of talent. Although I myself seek social affirmation, it is not what drives me, but instead I am ultimately driven by the search for my God given talent. Although I have been blessed with great health, I am otherwise limited in terms of physical ability and in all sincerity plagued with mental inadequacies.

So in such a predicament what does an individual do?

Give up and succumb to complacency and normalcy?

I believe not and have never considered such an option, but have instead trusted that the answer would come to me through my faith in God; and recently I believe it did.

What was the epiphany that I had?

It was simply that my God given talent was persistence; the ability to maintain my course toward the aforementioned answer. The seeming ambiguity of what religion had told me of my purpose had not been ambiguous at all, but instead directions for life and ultimately my identity.

I believe that ultimate fulfillment can only be achieved through servant hood, a perfect fit for a future pharmacist. I believe that like speed, intelligence, endurance or any other recognized virtue, my gift, persistence, is as profound and valuable. I believe that it will allow me to weather the storms of my life and more importantly help others find fulfillment through my life of serving others.