Gifts That Keep Giving

By Terry Mante

Finding your gift is key to finding your place in life. A gift is a notable capacity, talent, endowment, or ability. In a succinct, yet sophisticated manner, this book shows how each of us can unravel and unleash our gifts to make our lives meaningful and impactful. Learn how to identify, develop, use and brand your talent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Mante Exchange
• Release date: Jun 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393284123

Terry Mante

As a thought leader with keen interest in the progress and wellbeing of people, Terry has written over 400 articles for publication in newspapers and magazines in Ghana and reputable online portals. These works span a range of subjects such as faith, leadership, politics and governance, business, self-help, and career development. His work has been cited and quoted by many authors, bloggers, colleges, companies and PhD candidates in Australia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States, and other parts of the world. As a consultant and advisor, he offers guidance and counsel to individuals and organizations to bring out the best in them and position them to function effectively. He has worked on market research, strategy, branding, corporate training, capacity-building as well as PR and communications projects for clients in diverse fields. He is a personal development coach, business development and management consultant and communications practitioner.

Book preview

INSIDE THIS BOOK

Chapter 1: Something Inside so Strong

Chapter 2: How to Identify Your Gift

Chapter 3: How to Use Your Gift

Chapter 4: How to Brand Your Gift

Chapter 1

SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG

ISHAAN’S PLIGHT

TAARE Zameen Par, known internationally as Like Stars on Earth is a 2007 Indian educational drama film that is centered on an 8-year old boy called Ishaan. He dislikes school and fails every test and exam. He is often belittled, berated and despised by his teachers, classmates and parents, especially his dad. Ishaan’s dad is a successful executive who had very high expectations of his two children. His mother, a housewife is exasperated by her incapacity to educate her son.

While Yohaan, his elder brother, is an exceptional scholar and athlete, Ishaan’s internal world is inundated with animated animals, fairy-tale lands, colors and wonders that he could not communicate to the world around him. He opens a book to read and all he sees are letters in motion, which he refers to as ‘dancing letters.’

Ishaan was found in a home, school and community but he could not find himself in any of these places. He felt like a cat in the depth of the ocean – trapped, helpless and vulnerable.

One day, his parents received an academic report that was particularly unimpressive. This breaks his parents’ heart and they decide to send him to a boarding school. Poor Ishaan slides lower and begins to wallow in fear and depression.

His situation changes when a new art teacher observes that Ishaan’s condition is symptomatic of dyslexia. As a result of his interest in the boy, he finds out that the boy is passionate about painting and shows great talent in art.

He spends more time with Ishaan using special techniques to help Ishaan overcome his reading difficulties. He also helps to unearth and rediscover his artistic talent. This leads to a marked improvement in the boy’s grades.

Now, the boy who couldn’t find his place and was mocked has become the star of the school, winning an art competition. His friends, teachers and parents who despised him, now celebrate him.

MY ‘CERTIFICATE’

IN THE early 1990s, I began my basic education in Akim-Oda in the Eastern Region of Ghana. From kindergarten through the lower primary phase, there was a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth on my side.

Here was young Terry in a school system that he had no clue about. My mom often coerced me to go to school every morning. In class, nothing made sense to me. To make matters worse, my withdrawn and phlegmatic personality did not help me to break barriers and learn from my mates and teachers. At a point mom had