In my book, Engaging
Compassion Through Intent and Action, I share the importance I place on the
Seven Gifts of the Spirit:
Once we learn about
the gifts and our actions begin to reflect them, we are better able to discern
whether our intent is sincere and actions are compassionate. Not all of our intent is pure or our actions
helpful. Through the seven gifts, we gain a contemplative perspective, which
may be different than our current one.
When the two perspectives and the resulting actions differ, we have a
choice: we can continue the hurtful behavior or we can trust the Spirit to
guide us to a place of compassionate response.
As we make this choice, we may be guided by one gift in particular or
several gifts at the same time. It is
through contemplation that we intuitively know which gifts we are called to use
and how we can optimally incorporate the gifts into our lives. (p. 78)
The Gifts of the Spirit are knowledge, understanding,
wisdom, courage, right judgment, reverence, and wonder & awe. Throughout the day I may question if I am
missing a key piece of knowledge
that will bring me to greater understanding. Perhaps I need the courage to manifest my wisdom
into right judgment. When I see beyond the veil of the mundane and
peer deeply into the extraordinary, my response is reverent and filled with wonder
and awe. Only when I live in
awareness do these gifts invite me to take small steps across of the bridge of
my compassionate being.
How are you being invited to cross that bridge?
Vanessa
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