Feeding the Soul (Because It's My Business) summary

How is destiny like a pair of glasses? Everybody has their own prescription. 

Some people are near-sighted, some far-sighted; some have a lazy eye. If you try to wear somebody else’s glasses – or foist your glasses on them – don’t be surprised if it doesn’t help much. Why? Because your prescription belongs to you and you alone. 

So it is with our visions for life. Each is unique. We each have a unique journey to embark on, and it’s up to us, alone, to take it. As Tab says, “That’s your business.” 

One part of “your business” has to do with your gifts. Each of us has a unique set. Some of us can paint beautiful paintings that bring people to tears. Some of us are born athletes. Those gifts are obvious. But some us – many of us – have gifts we hardly recognize.

Tab spent years trying to realize her dreams as an actress. She took part in community theater, worked in independent films, and even hosted a small late-night show. Struggling in her career, she tried to fit into the image that Hollywood wanted – changing how she dressed, how she talked, and even taking diet pills to try to force her body into the “right” shape. It was exhausting – and, what’s more, it didn’t work!

In the end, what propelled her to fame were two gifts that she hadn’t even considered. The first gift was that Tab was always funny. As a child, she’d crack her family up with her observations and comic timing. She relished big gatherings and social occasions where she could play the part of the family joker.

The second gift was her love of cooking. Throughout her life, while she was out there trying to become a famous actress, she was also going about the quiet, mundane business of daily living. Cooking was always there, but it was effortless – just a normal part of everyday life, as natural as breathing. 

And yet it was these two unassuming gifts – her sense of humor and her love of cooking – that would transform her life. Only in retrospect could she see how valuable these gifts were. 

Today, far from seeing them as mere quirks of personality, Tab sees these gifts as just that — actual, genuine gifts from God. God gives all of us these gifts for a reason. We owe it to Him and ourselves not to take them for granted, but instead to put them to the best use we can.

So ask yourself: What are your gifts? What comes naturally to you? Do you have abilities that you aren’t taking advantage of? 

And remember, if somebody doesn’t see your gift, don’t get mad about it. Your prescription – your vision – is yours. It’s not their job to believe in you – it’s yours! Once again: “that’s your business.”