Because our gifts carry us out into the world and make us participants in life, the uncovering of them is one of the most important tasks confronting any one of us. When we talk about being true to ourselves—being the persons we are intended to be—we are talking about gifts.

We cannot be ourselves unless we are true to our gifts. When we talk about vocation, whether we are artists or engineers, we are talking about gifts. In a discussion about commitment, we are on the same subject, for the place of our concrete involvement is determined by our gifts. Serious reflection on almost any aspect of our lives leads into a consideration of gifts.

from Eighth Day of Creation: Gifts and Creativity