Neglected Gifts... Three Blessings That Shape a Person
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By: Alaa Soliman
Every human being is born with three profound gifts. These gifts are meant to support us, strengthen us, and prepare us for life. Yet many people move through life without fully recognizing them, and some may never realize their value at all, even though they play a central role in shaping the self.
The first gift is the freedom to choose.
It is one of the greatest gifts a person can possess, because it is where identity is formed, direction is set, and the future begins to take shape. Our choices do not simply influence passing moments. They build our present and quietly design our tomorrow.
It is true that family background, upbringing, and inherited traits affect us. But wise choices can reduce those effects and, in some cases, rise above them. As Stephen R. Covey wrote:
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness."
In practical terms, being born into a family with a history of illness does not mean a person is automatically condemned to the same suffering. Choosing a healthier lifestyle, regular exercise, and better habits can make a real difference. That is why choice is never a small matter. It is one of the deepest forces shaping our destiny.
The second gift is principles.
Principles make wise choice possible. They give a person clarity, moral direction, and inner steadiness. When someone understands the difference between right and wrong, and values respect, loyalty, honesty, and integrity, they become more capable of protecting themselves from what diminishes them and moving toward what strengthens them.
The clearer and stronger a person’s principles are, the more grounded their choices become. Principles do not restrict us. They protect us from confusion and drift.
The third gift is our capacities.
Human strength does not rest on one dimension alone. It depends on balance across four essential areas: the mind, the heart, the spirit, and the body. When one of these is neglected, inner balance weakens, and so does a person’s sense of peace and stability.
Stephen R. Covey offered a powerful way to think about these four areas:
For the body, live with full awareness of your responsibility toward it.
For the mind, prepare yourself as though your time to practice your work is limited.
For the heart, speak of others as if they can hear every word you say.
For the spirit, live as though you are always accountable before your Creator.
And I would add this:
If you want to truly benefit from these three gifts, let go of fear and face change with courage.
Do not let others make your choices for you.
Do not allow your principles to shift for someone else’s approval.
And do not surrender your abilities to impulse, despair, or delay.
When a person recognizes these gifts and uses them well, they no longer live life passively. They begin to shape it with awareness, protect it with values, and sustain it through balance.
