The influence of our families may have kept us from exploring the unique gifts God chose for us. Understandably, we often absorb our parents’ interests, values, and sometimes passions. Separating parental interests from our own interests can be difficult. When we don’t do this, we are often propelled into jobs, volunteer organizations, or situations that may or may not be a good fit for our unique pattern of life gifts. • We may downplay or even bury life gifts out of fear of appearing proud. People