I was recently listening to Jordan Peterson’s podcast with Jocko Willink. I believe it’s like #13 or something. During the podcast he was asking Jocko what made him want to be a Navy SEAL. Jocko explained that that was what he always wanted to do, from being a little kid was to “play Army”. Jordan then mentioned that that was a great gift that he always knew what he wanted to do.
To be honest I never looked at it like that. That knowing what you wanted to do was some sort of great gift. I think because if you’ve always wanted to do something, or always been gravitated towards an interest in a serious way, then I’m not sure that you have the perception of thinking it to be a gift unless someone calls it that and it detaches your current perception.
This then had me thinking of how my Brother has always had an interest in much of the same things that I do. Like an obsessive interest just as I do. My Brother loves many of the same things I do, cars, motorcycles, driving, etc.
My Brother also has cerebral palsy and autism. A common thing I find in knowing many people with autism and Downs Syndrome throughout my life is that they all have interests in which they pursue intensely, without reservation.
Maybe they all have the greatest gift.