Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

The Seven Gifts: Ancient Wisdom Reveals the Deep Mystery of Who We Really Are, by David B Whitacre, is a lightbulb moment for those seeking to understand the many facets of human behavior. Not just in the world of work, but in other areas of life, including family, peers, community, etc. If you're like me, you may wonder what makes people the way they are. Why do people react a certain way to different stimuli? How can ten people observing the same event have ten different interpretations? Why do relationships start out well but end badly, and why do some work even when the odds are against them? If you like psychology and studying human behavior, keep reading, because Whitacre uses ancient wisdom to take you inside your gifts to show you the purpose and calling on your life.

You will be impressed and inspired by Whitacre, obviously gifted with writing and teaching, as he relays his points with well-written anecdotes. He will make you think, examine, and dream--about yourself and others. Even if you have solid ideas about the way people are, you will learn much from this book, if you keep an open mind and reflect on your own life and behavior. If you've often thought that people are born with a gift and that they would be happier pursuing it or using it to their fullest, and wonder why they don't, you're not alone. I know many, many gifted people with talents and skills that, for whatever reason, don't recognize or maximize them, and it's disheartening, to say the least. This author gets inside the psyche of interpersonal communication, with motivation as the cornerstone, and offers this super guide for those dealing with the public, or for the layperson seeking to improve relationships. Mercy and Server are just two of the gifts discussed. The wisdom in this book is golden for managers or anyone dealing with employees or groups of people.

Being a former social worker, I would recommend this book to help professionals everywhere, from those leading support groups to those training life coaches. But perhaps more importantly, you can use these insights as a way to better your relationships. As you read, you will realize your own gifts and will get a better understanding of how to use them. There are three parts to this book, and it has a very personal feel to it as Whitacre shares his own story, along with some LOL humor and some tearful moments too. One of my favorite parts is the anecdote about his daughter opening up an improved line of communication with her teacher because she had spoken to him with his gift in mind. If there is one book that can change the way you see yourself and others, it's The Seven Gifts: Ancient Wisdom Reveals the Deep Mystery of Who We Really Are by David B Whitacre.