Life is a gift, given in trust - like a child.

In the quiet rhythm of existence, where each heartbeat is a fleeting moment, there lies a profound truth that echoes through the ages: life is a gift, bestowed upon us with love and trust. Anne Morrow Lindbergh, with delicate grace, reflects on this truth when she says, "Life is a gift, given in trust - like a child." This statement speaks not only of the preciousness of life, but of the sacred responsibility entrusted to us by the divine, the universe, or fate itself. It reminds us that life is not ours to control or manipulate but to cherish, nurture, and protect, much like a fragile child in our care.

The imagery of a child is not accidental, for a child is a living testament to the trust placed in the hands of the parent. A child, in all its innocence and vulnerability, is a gift given with the hope that it will grow, flourish, and become something greater than its beginnings. Lindbergh’s words invite us to view our life in the same light: as a precious and fragile trust, handed down to us by forces far greater than ourselves. We are not the masters of this gift, but stewards of it, entrusted with the task of guiding it with wisdom, love, and care.

Consider the life of Socrates, the great philosopher of ancient Athens, who viewed his own life not as his own possession, but as something entrusted to him by the gods. He famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For Socrates, life was a gift that demanded reflection, understanding, and a constant quest for truth. It was not a life to be lived recklessly or without purpose, but a sacred trust that required him to engage with it fully and thoughtfully. His life, like that of a child, was a delicate balance of growth and responsibility—guided by the wisdom of his own beliefs and a deep understanding of his role in the world.

The same lesson can be drawn from the life of Nelson Mandela, who, after years of imprisonment, chose to dedicate his life to the service of others. In his journey, he recognized that his life was not a mere accident of circumstance, but a gift, entrusted to him by the people and by the world. As a child is nurtured and guided by its parents, Mandela nurtured the hopes of his people, leading them from the darkness of apartheid to the light of reconciliation. His life was a gift given in trust, and he fulfilled his responsibility with grace, humility, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Just as a child requires care, attention, and guidance, so too does our life require our full presence and devotion. We cannot afford to treat life as something to be taken for granted, as something we can control without consequence. Lindbergh calls us to recognize that we have been given this gift with a sacred trust, and it is our duty to respect, nurture, and protect it. Every choice we make, every action we take, impacts the unfolding of this gift. To live without awareness, to neglect this sacred trust, is to dishonor the very gift that has been given to us.

The lesson here is simple yet profound: life is not a possession but a gift, a delicate trust placed in our hands. Just as a child grows and develops with care, so too must we allow our life to unfold with purpose and intention. We are called to nurture this gift, to honor it, and to live it in a way that reflects its true value. The responsibility of this gift is not burdensome but liberating, for it provides us with the freedom to create meaning, to grow, and to serve others.

As you walk the path of your own life, remember that it is a gift given to you in trust, like a child. Tend to it with love and patience. Guide it with wisdom and care. Recognize the beauty and fragility of this gift, and honor it with each step you take. Just as you would care for a child, so too must you care for your life, nurturing it into the fullness of its potential. In doing so, you will not only honor the trust given to you but will also leave behind a legacy of life well-lived, a legacy that will inspire others to cherish the gift they have been given.